Hopefully its a cheap deal, never saw too much into the guy even when he was drafted...depth move I hope.

Doesn’t turn 25 until November. I would call him a league average player.

One year, $4 million. So he basically replaced Adrian Clayborn.

Good info man!

Same team too.

Nate Ulrich said the Browns tried to sign him last year. Former 1st round pick in 2017.

Looks like a guy that can replace Clayborn.

I remember reading that the Browns tried to claim him on waivers when he was cut last season.

Twice.

We obviously like the guy.

very meh, surprised we went after him, irc he is more of a standup guy than hand in dirt. I hope this isn't the plan to address vernon departure. I think he's pretty good against the run though.

About what I expected. Now we’ll draft a DE .. and I still think we sign a CB

Speaking of Vernon, I wonder if there's any thoughts in Berea of bringing him back on a low-level look-see contract? Achilles ruptures have 4-6 month rehab, so maybe he could contribute next season if his rehab is successful.

With us putting two claims on him last year, it's no surprise we liked him this FA period.

Pretty good deal for the money...the guy has talent, and is still pretty young.

Need to get him healthy, and get his weight situation figured out. From what I remember, he showed up to the Falcons last year at a lean 250lbs. Need to get him back up to 270.

I don't think this stops us from making another move. Maybe we still sign Clowney, or we resign OV? Or we draft a DE early.

Yeah, if nothing else, as a 1-year deal, this isn't a solution to anything; this is a stop-gap and it really only addresses the loss of Claiborne. We still need to replace Vernon.

1 year up to 4M. Looks like the Clayborn replacement to me. Probably a designated pass rusher with his body type. Low risk on a former 1st rounder. Why not?

From what I've seen, it's $4.25M base with up to $6M in incentives. I'll try to find a link.

IMO Lawson was worth the investment.

Tak Mac is nothing to get excited about.

Vernon is a better player.

I wonder how he is doing?

He's definitely not gonna be Mr. Stout Against the Run.
At 6'2", 230lbs, he's little.

Actually he is 265 lbs.

However, he is an underachiever who has done little and been hurt often.

Pro Football Reference has him at 265 lbs

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/McKiTa00.htm

NFL.com has him at 250 lbs

https://www.nfl.com/players/takkarist-mckinley/

Was watching some videos of him in Atlanta and it definitely looked like they had him put on a lot of weight. Not sure what weight he'll play at for us. I was surprised how beefy he looked.

I have seen a few numbers thrown out as far as the contract. I'm curious to see what the "real" number is come tomorrow.

I have checked a couple of sites and his weight is listed at 250 and 265.

Takkarist McKinley
Takkarist Jaune McKinley (Tak)

Position: OLB

6-2, 265lb (188cm, 120kg)

Team: Las Vegas Raiders

Born: November 2, 1995 (Age: 25-134d) in Oakland, CA

College: UCLA (College Stats)
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/McKiTa00.htm

HT/WT
6' 2", 250 lbs
DOB
11/2/1995 (25)
COLLEGE
UCLA
DRAFT INFO
2017: Rd 1, Pk 26 (ATL)
EXPERIENCE
4th Season

https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/3152371/takkarist-mckinley

Honestly, I am disappointed in this signing.

I would rather have Melvin Ingram everyday of the week.

He has been cut more than he has played. That is telling.

It's not as exciting as the Johnson signing ... for sure. I'll wait and see what they do before deciding if this is a let down. I'm hopeful they will address this position and Takk will be depth/situational.

His record since being drafted is one of disappointment.

Not impressed by this guy.

I hope they do more at DE because neither him or Porter are starters.

Folks keep talking about going after a DE in the draft as we are passing on the big name/big money FA's .. I keep asking what DE in this years draft class our you referring to in range of 26 ?

I agree with you.

Yet, some players bloom later than others. They're depth with a chance for more at not much cost.

I would be shocked if we don’t sign another edge player.

We won't know until draft day gets here. Oweh is the one I have circled in pencil. I think he goes higher, but he's in the 30s or even lower on some big boards.

Other than the sacks he looks a lot like Von Miller at A&M to me. Still has technical development to catch up on, but he's a specimen, and young.

I hope teams pass on him due to this season's lack of sacks, but I'm not holding my breath. He'll probably end up a Steeler or Raven.

This is a low risk move. One year at $4.

However, I dislike the move. The Raiders passed on this guy to sign Ngakoue.

There are no other FA options now at DE.

That forces them to go to the draft. That is not good planning. It puts you in a position to reach for a position in the draft.

Instead of letting the draft just play to you. Before FA started the Browns were in a BPA position in the draft. Sit back let it play out take the best player.

DE outside of quarterback is the premier position. You have to create pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

Berry knows this. We let good talent get away. I know the dollars were high. But the reason is clear. Pass rushers are expensive.

Now we are in a box. We have to go after a DE as an investment. We may have to trade up. We may have to let a better player go by because of need.

Not happy.

He can get after the QB. With a little direction the guy could be a super value.

Carlos Dunlap, Jadaveon Clowney, Ryan Kerrigan, Justin Houston, and others may not be top tier, but they're plenty good and they are still available. You can't spend double digit millions at every position.

https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/free-agents/all/defensive-end/available/

I hear a sad trombone playing.

Look this guy was once a 1st round pick, he was highly thought of, we didn't break the bank to sign him, maybe this will be the place he shines I mean he does have Garrett on the other side to take the pressure off of him

I plugged his name into Google and hit 'search'. Their results showed him at 230.

This is only the second day.

They made their offers to the top rushers at what they felt was appropriate. The free agents took the highest dollars.

They got the safety they really wanted at a fair price.

Plan B. They can sign a Carlos Dunlap or Ingram and go by committee keeping rushers fresh.

They still are going to make some moves but they will be conservative.

We also have Curtis Weaver who they like. They got him on waivers. He was hurt.

The draft is were you invest still. We have Billings coming back.

There will still be moves made at corner and linebacker.

So, although Tak McK is no big deal. He is just a piece. They have their plan and they are working that plan.

That guy does not look anywhere close to 230.

I have heard some of the talking heads speak about his guy like he could be good with a fresh start and in the right situation. I hope our front office has a handle on the discontent in Atlanta coupled with the "failed" physicals in Cincinnati and San Francisco. And then the Raiders deciding not to activate him when they had the chance.

He was a first round pick.

He started off his first year doing well. Then it went downhill.

He is still young. He has had a big scoop of humble pie.

Maybe he will be motivated and play well for us?

We still have plans. I am still confident we will field a very good team.

j/c...

I like Takk's upbeat and positive attitude!

I remember him from draft day. Very emotional player who brought a photo of his deceased grandmother to the podium and was a bit incoherent.

It's like he had a bet with another guy on how many times he could say "good".

#SuperTroopers #meow

we have been pretty obsessed with trying to sign him for 2 years now.

there has to be a reason

In the end it is a low risk move with a possibly high reward.

He has talent. He was a first rounder.

I hope it works out. He is still young with lots to prove.

So, He should be motivated.

Our big get was Johnson, at our biggest need. That was huge.

Takk wasn't our first choice, but he is who we signed, so the FO feels he can help the squad.

We also have to understand there are still good football players out there. As the days move on, prices are going to drop and more values will be presented.

I have a really good feeling about our FO and then the coaching staff to get the most out of our players.

I feel good we will be able to win games this season.

Such a Belichek wannabe!

To me this screams low risk, high reward.

But the injuries worry me and how he routinely couldn't pass a physical. I hope his contract here is contingent upon doing so (I'm assuming all contracts are).

It would be shocking if his isn't, all others are.

I am in step with you.

At first I was disappointed in the Takk sign. More so because I wanted Lawson.

However, I am more confident in our FO than I have been in so long that I will sit back and let things happen.

They are smart guys who have access to tons of information we do not have.

There are many factors at play. So until the roster is final; I will wait and see what happens.

J/C

I really like how disciplined Barry has been. Not paying A grade money for B grade pass rushers. Given the market, McKinley is a low-risk signing. It's been mentioned that we have Weaver coming in. We are likely to take a DE in the draft. Everything about the quality of decisions Barry has made gives me confidence that we can get Edge help in the draft. If we make one more good second tier signing at CB, DL or LB I'd close up free agency and get ready for the draft.

We will probably draft some type of edge player, though it may not be who many want. I think BPA will rule the drafting of players. At some point a DE will fit that mold. I am just saying it may not be as high as some think.

Agree completely! Berry is a smart, level-headed, thoughtful leader so far. I said it at the time when it was Sashi, DePo and Berry, that the most overlooked guy in that FO was Berry. I'm glad we have him being methodical in decison-making and not over paying (except Hooper at this point) guys or taking on ridiculous contracts.

Also, I think people might not realize the situation that they want to keep some of their own guys as well (crossing fingers) and free agency isn't always about bringing new people from the outside in. We'll see on that front.

Agreed. I hope this FO always addresses both lines in every draft. To the extent they allocate high draft capital might vary year-to-year, but would hope they are both recognized as premium position groups.

I wonder if McKinley knows the Browns put in three waiver requests for him last year? That has to be worth something to the guy like, "Ok, these guys really wanted me on the team".

Now, whether him being on the team even amounts to anything is yet to be seen, but I'd think that could be a factor. Perhaps why he chose to sign with us in the first place?

Exactly. I think they will make attempts to address all positions over a 2-3 year cycle. As you said, it may not be 1st or 2nd rounders.

I really think we will go BPA, especially early unless the pick becomes redundant and just doesn't make any sense.

We have our QB, so we probably won't take any QB's early, anytime soon even if they are BPA, but I can see us selecting a QB mid round every few years to keep a young, good back-up in the pipeline.

I am pretty pumped with the direction of the team.

Please, enough "CLOWN"ey pimping...the guy has been a disappointment his entire career...geez

A lot of the posts here sound similar to the way Breshad Perryman was discussed before arriving here. McKindley's career arc has also been similar. I'm not saying he'll break out the same way that Perryman did for us but I am cautious about being overly dismissive of him. I think the Browns culture is getting healthy and will continue to do so. The optimist in me wants to think that will impact McKindley's tenure here.

I am stuck at square one. If you can't get to the QB. your not going anywhere in the play - offs ..

Takk is already better having Myles Garrett on the other side ...

Well, it appears he's got the goods.

I bet when he was younger his parents bought all of his music & DVDs at Sam Goody.

Disappointment as compared what? He’s probably had above average value compared to what most first overall picks provide.

Clowney or not, I hope the FO still feels the need to address the DE position in a meaningful way. If not for McKinley's issues with passing physicals, but having a nice, steady rotation.

Like I said above, I would be shocked if we don’t sign another edge guy. McKinley’s failed physicals had to do with a groin injury which I’d assume would be gone by now.

guy's lazy and a drag on the locker room... no thank you...

In what way is he lazy? In what way is he a drag on the locker room?

And if they are lucky and catch lightning in a bottle with him, just think of the value then! I'm thinking it's a no lose situation.

Is that like the hiccups?

that's good!

SCORE! Marshawn Lynch is his press coach!

He was definitely just there so he didn't get fined.

"Marshawn has the same kind of attitude I do," McKinely said, according to Pompei. "He's going to be who he is; either you like him or not."

https://www.ajc.com/sports/falcons-takk-...6sJoKcVEJmbihL/

They’re both from Oakland.

This is an under the radar type signing. We may be able to tap into his talent which he does have. Takk has upside and learning from Myles will help. JMO

There was a hole and they filled it. Low risk, low cost. If he plays to his potential we may give him a contract next year. If he doesn't he filled a hole for a season and we keep looking. If one was available that was worth it, I'd still draft a DE in the first round this year. But only for a really good one. It is smart filling holes in FA then drafting BPA as often as possible. We are to the point though, that certain positions would be silly to take near the top. QB and RB for instance. But a DE to hopefully bookend with Garrett? Now that would be very nice. We may not be done in FA at the position either. Time will tell.

J/C

Takk was highly rated coming out but I think was a little mismanaged in Atlanta. If you play to his strengths, I think it'll turn out to be a great investment. He has explosion, burst - he can rush the passer. As a situational guy, I think its a great pick up. I also think Weaver figures into our plans. I dont doubt that we may pick up another DE either draft or FA either. Nothing bad to say about this and he is young enough to merit a longer contract next offseason if he performs.

All teams take flyers on guys like this. Its also a good time to bring in guys like this. There is a culture brewing, there are guys who are proud to be Browns.. and not here to just cut a paycheck. It's a lot easier for guys to flourish in systems that tend to believe in themselves

Yep.

Not only that, a team of players who buy in to the team also have a way of straightening out bad actors.

No doubt this isn't the guy we will use to go speak to children.

Takk's new nickname is Peanut.

Desmond King makes a lot of sense.

Top rated slot corner and can play FS.

I know the Browns are aware and want more help at corner.

I was one who also thought we might spend more, and maybe we still will. It just won't be all on a couple of players.

Now that the first wave is about over, the 2nd wave and beyond is where you pluck value....even though Takk is a value pick.

Evidently we viewed him as the best available that we weren't going to have to pay $12mil a year.

You never know how it was done or said. Maybe we told him and his agent that if he gets off to a nice start, isn't a PR nightmare for the team, and isn't a locker room egghead we would consider extending him 2-3 years come mid-season.

He isn't a grinner just beaming smiles to please others. He doesnt appear to be interested in making other people comfortable.

I'll take that all day long if he comes in and does his job.

I'm not aware of any off field scandals with this player. No women issues, no law enforcement, no social media gaffes, not internal team controversies. If anybody is aware of something concrete involving him please post it. No what you heard, but something from sourced reporting.

Downing a guy for one-word answers or not flashing a plastic smile can't be a thing in Cleveland or Nick Chubb would be public enemy #1.

I'll never forget him talking about his grandma , carrying her picture, when his name was called.

For some reason watching that video gives off that "I'm just here so I don't get fined" vibe.

yeah I remember that too

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/takk-...by-the-raiders/
title: Takk McKinley set to join his third team in a week after being claimed off waivers by the raiders.
Nov 23, 2020

----- ------

Just in General, after reading the above article, I'll just take this signing for what it is. Unfortunatly I think the players future upside is limited, but that's why they play the games.

And his Middle name means 'cough!' gold in French, ya, so not a green flag, (Jeremy Mcphails anybody?),
Good Luck and Go Browns!
I like Claibourne.

jc...

I would not rate this signing as a high point for the Browns front office.

This is a, "prove yourself" contract...

Takk is depending on his 1st round draft status and his on the field performances during his first 3 years in the NFL. The Falcons 'did not' pickup Takk's 5th year option and it appears that Takk might have let that affect his play on the field (imo), but the last year Takk suffered a shoulder injury and played in only 4 games in 2020, accumulating 8 total tackles and 1 sack.

Takk requested a trade but the Falcons waived him in Nov 2020. He then failed two team's physicals but was claimed by the Raiders, placed on injured reserve, began practicing with the team Dec 15th, but Gruden never activated him and he did not play for the Raiders.

IMO, he seems to be trying to reset his NFL career by signing a 1yr contract with the Browns.

I hope everything goes well for Takk during his 2021 year with the Browns. The Browns sure could use him and his skill set, pressuring/harassing and sacking QBs.

j/c...

Official.

This is a guy that should be motivated. If he is smart, he will put in the extra work to be the best he can. This one year deal can make or break his career.

Playing opposite Miles, he should be able to have impact. If he does, that second contract could come from many places. If he dogs it, or acts disgruntled, this could be his last contract. Edge guys make good money, if he balls out, he could end up with a nice payday.

Some thoughtful and well-considered analysis on the McKinley signing.

I really like Quincy's clips...except for 1 thing. I'm sure thanking his Patreon subscribers at the beginning was cool when there were 5 of them. But now it's annoying to go through that growing list to start the video. He really should move that to the end.

That's why you jump forward in the video.

I like the Takk signings as it gives us breathing room if we have to wait on edge rusher.

The Smith re-sign gives us room to see how the LBer market shakes out.

Obviously I like our safeties

I'm not so sure we can wait much longer on slot corner, though.

j/c:

Takk says he's working on himself. Good article

Takk McKinley says he lost himself over last couple of years, but vows to regain hunger, repay Browns for always wanting himby Scott PetrakMarch 19, 2021

The pursuit of defensive end Takk McKinley started five years ago. When the Browns finally landed him Friday as he signed a one-year, $4.25 million deal, he pledged to find himself, regain his passion and live up to the potential general manager Andrew Berry loved when he was coming out of UCLA in the 2017 draft.
“When I came into this league at draft night, I was really hungry,” McKinley said on a Zoom call with reporters. “I was not relaxed. I was all about just getting after it. I felt like these last couple of years, specifically probably 2018-2019, I kind of lost myself. I lost the way I play the game. I just lost a lot.
“Now I am back, I have a great mindset and I have a great team around me. Now it is just to continue to improve, continue to talk to people, continue to get help and just continue to grow and be a better person, a better player and just better overall.”
McKinley, 25, hasn’t been same player since first two years with the Falcons after they drafted him No. 26. He had six sacks as a rookie — eight if you count two in the playoffs, as he pointed out — and seven in Year 2 but just six in his last 27 games. He played only four games last year due to a groin injury and tweeted his way out of Atlanta.

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While his contemporaries have locked in big money, including new teammate Myles Garrett with a five-year, $125 million extension, McKinley was grateful for the chance to prove himself with the Browns. He feels wanted after they tried to trade for him last year then put in three unsuccessful waiver claims.
“I was like the fifth time is going to be the charm,” he said. “It was a really easy decision for me once they offered.”
Middle linebacker Anthony Walker signs 1-year, $3.5M deal, leaves lots of admirers in Indianapolis

McKinley went out of his way to make a good first impression. He wore a dark shirt and jacket and peach tie and was forthcoming with his answers — a far cry from a 2019 interview in Atlanta in which he answered every question with a variation of “good.” He’s trying to turn the page.
“This league is not promised. It is a privilege to be here talking to you,” he said. “I feel like I am at the point in my career where if I want to be in this league, I need to start acting like it. Today it was not to look good but it was for myself and everybody else to know I mean nothing but business.”
McKinley, who had a difficult childhood outside of Oakland, Calif., underwent a mental health evaluation in January 2019 after a friend called police in Los Angeles and he was detained. McKinley was asked Friday what happened for him to “lose himself.”
“I would just say life,” he said. “I feel like a lot of people when it comes to football players, they just look at us as gladiators, and just when it comes to football, it just has to be football. Just like every single one of you, I do have a life and a personal life, and things happen in that personal life and that is OK.
“I am just older now and I am more mature now that I understand, yes, I may have some issues outside of life, but when I am on that grass, nothing else matters. I am just huge on learning from my mistakes and do not make the same mistake twice.”
McKinley credited former Falcons coach Dan Quinn and former Falcons defensive coordinator/interim coach Raheem Morris for helping him mature and gave special mention to Pro Football Hall of Famer Kevin Greene, whom he called a mentor. Greene died in December.
“He was someone who always I could talk to about anything, whether it was football or life,” McKinley said. “He told me, ‘Takk, if you want to be in this league for a long time, you have to fix your image.’ I feel like a lot of people don’t really know me and a lot of people don’t understand me, but once you get to talk to me, you will soon realize there isn’t anything wrong with this dude at all.
“All I know is I am just trying to grow and get better at all areas, whether that is football, as a father or just a person.”
The Browns are giving him a second chance. It was a long time coming.
Berry was the top football person in 2017 as vice president of player personnel under general manager Sashi Brown. The Browns drafted Garrett with the No. 1 pick, but McKinley was an option at No. 12 if they had taken a quarterback first. He said his first predraft visit was to the Browns.
When Berry returned to Cleveland last year as GM, he restarted the pursuit of McKinley.
“To know a team sees what I am worth, sees what I can do and really believes in me, that means the world,” he said, adding quarterback Baker Mayfield was the first player to text him. “Now I just can’t wait to get out there on that field and prove it to myself and show everybody else why it was a smart decision to bring me here.”
McKinley has changed from No. 98 to No. 55 and looks forward to a clean slate.
“Sometimes a fresh start is the best thing for everyone,” he said. “I am just very, very excited to be a part of the Cleveland Browns knowing how bad they wanted me and knowing the opportunity that lies in front of me. I am with a team that has a great locker room. The culture is changing. I am excited to be a part of and continue to change what people think about the Cleveland Browns.
“In the past, it was a laughing organization. That is not the culture here anymore, especially after talking to coach Ski (Kevin Stefanski), Mr. Berry and pretty much everyone in this building. That losing stuff is not a part of Cleveland anymore. I am just excited to be here and help keep winning.”
The risk is low for the Browns, especially if they add another couple of pass rushers through free agency and the draft. The reward could be huge.
McKinley (6-foot-2, 260 pounds) ran a 4.59-second 40-yard dash at the scouting combine and turns the speed into power when he pursues the quarterback. When engaged he plays with tremendous effort.
The Browns are counting on him be a productive complement to Garrett, who had 12 sacks and four forced fumbles last year despite missing two games with COVID-19 and feeling the effects for the final month-plus of the season.
Olivier Vernon, who had nine sacks as the other starting end last year, is a free agent and his Achilles tendon ruptured Jan. 3 in the regular-season finale. No. 3 end Adrian Clayborn was released to clear $3 million in salary cap space. So McKinley slides into an important role no matter what else the Browns do in the offseason.
“I do not need to get into Myles Garrett’s resumé. Everybody in the world knows it, but the way I think I can help him is you got a dawg on the other side of you,” he said. “You have someone who is going to battle for you. You have someone who is going to go hard, 100 percent, full speed.

“I know I have shown a lot of flashes in my career. For me, it is all about being consistent now.”
McKinley believes he’s a perfect fit in coordinator Joe Woods’ system, as he can line up wide and use his speed to rush the quarterback. He didn’t want to talk about the groin injury from a year ago that caused him to fail physicals after being claimed by the Bengals and 49ers and end the year on injured reserve with the Raiders but passed his physical with the Browns, said he’s healthy and training in California.
He’s not worrying about proving himself on the one-year deal.
“This league is not guaranteed at all,” McKinley said. “I am focusing on this year and focusing on what I can control. If I do what I need to do, that will take care of itself. There is no reason for me to think about next year when I have to handle this year.”

Takk ain't lyin' about putting in the work!

Good Gawd.

That's our BACKUP/3rd DE, lol?



Dear NFL,

I'm sorry, but not sorry.

Sincerely,
The Dawg Pound

Takk Vader