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Browns re-sign LB Tank Carder; sign DL Jamie Meder, RB Raheem Mostert

Posted 15 minutes ago

http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/arti...98-bc701ad7dde5

Browns tender 4 restricted free agents

Posted 18 minutes ago

The Cleveland Browns on Monday extended qualifying offers to the following restricted free agents: DB Don Jones, OL Austin Pasztor, WR Terrelle Pryor and LB Scott Solomon.

http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/arti...35?sf22110579=1

Excellent.

Glad we're keeping Pasztor and Meder.

Yes, I had high hopes for Scott last season before he went to injured reserve. The Pasztor move was, imo, a no brainer and matching any offer within remote reason would also be a no brainer.

Cleveland Browns have Terry Talkin' free agency, new front office and a different approach -- Terry Pluto

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- As free agency looms on March 9, the Browns are going to resist the temptation to spend big on veteran free agent players.

At least, that's the plan.

They start with the fact that they are a 3-13 team. That's the record. They were 3-13 after adding veteran free agents Dwayne Bowe, Andrew Hawkins, Brian Hartline, Karlos Dansby, Josh McCown and Donte Whitner in the last two free agent periods.

One of the themes the Browns new front office and coaching staff have mentally underlined is this: "It's a young man's game."

Some veterans have worked out better than others. Here's a rundown:

1. The Browns love McCown as a veteran role model for young quarterbacks. When healthy, McCown is capable of some very productive games. He'll be 37 on July 4, but he's considered a keeper for 2016.

2. Bowe is 31. He had a disastrous 2015 season. In a recent WKNR radio broadcast, V.P. Sashi Brown mentioned that the Browns missed a Miles Austin-type receiver. In 2014, Austin was the veteran receiver who was a third-down safety valve for former Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer. Bowe was supposed to be that guy in 2015. He caught five passes. They'll look for someone else.

3. Hawkins will be 30 on March 10. He has had several concussions. He has a super attitude and work ethic. He played only eight games. He also played only eight games in 2013 with the Bengals. Hard to know what his future will be here.

4. Hartline is 29. He caught 46 passes, an 11.6 average. He could return as one of several receivers the Browns want to assemble.

5. Dansby is 34 and has played 13 years in the NFL. He played all 16 games. He's missed only 12 games in his entire career. Dansby is still at least an average inside linebacker, a position where the Browns have little depth. He could be back.

6. Whitner is 30 and has played 10 years. The Browns do have some depth at safety with Ibraheim Campbell, Jordan Poyer and possibly Tashaun Gipson. If the Browns do re-sign Gipson, it's possible they will cut Whitner. His $6.2 million salary is not guaranteed. It's hard to imagine the Browns keeping so much of their salary cap tied up in safeties.

The point is that the Browns have tried the quick fix route with veteran free agents. As they remind themselves, they still were 3-13.

Last weekend, I wrote about their current free agents. It's doubtful all will return.

It's an intriguing group with center Alex Mack, right tackle Mitchell Schwartz, receiver Travis Benjamin and Gipson.

The Browns remain very serious about taking a quarterback at No. 2. How important is having Mack at center to the new quarterback?

"You can put it up there with the quarterback when you have a guy like that who has played so well for so long," Coach Hue Jackson told media members at the Cleveland Auto Show. "I think we have made it very clear where we stand and how much we'd love to have him back."

ABOUT YOUNG PLAYERS

One of the discussions the Browns are having is about Cameron Erving.

In retrospect, the previous regime made a mistake by having the rookie from Florida State trying to learn all the positions on the offensive line. Erving is a smart guy and a hard worker, but it was overwhelming.

He began his college career on the defensive line. He moved to left tackle. But he really became a pro prospect as a center for the last five games of his senior year.

If Mack leaves, can Erving become an adequate center if that's his only position? The Browns do believe it is far too early to write off the 19th pick in the 2015 draft.

The new front office and coaching staff are working to guard against simply dismissing picks from the last few drafts because they were taken by the previous regime.

Some of the young players who have impressed the new coaching staff as they have studied game tapes include Danny Shelton, KWaun Williams, Nate Orchard, Chris Kirksey, Joel Bitonio, and they believe a role can be found for Taylor Gabriel.

The Browns are intrigued by Randall Telfer, a sixth-round pick in 2015. The tight end missed all of last season because of foot surgery.

I'm sure there are other names, but these are what I heard.

Johnny Manziel is expected to be cut on March 9. I hear very little about Justin Gilbert. My sense is that he has a lot to prove to this coaching staff, too.

ABOUT ALEC SCHEINER

1. The departure of Browns president Alec Scheiner isn't a major surprise. Owner Jimmy Haslam had another front office shakeup after the season, with Sashi Brown emerging as the head of the football operations.

2. It seemed another change was coming. Scheiner was brought in by former CEO Joe Banner. There were stories of Scheiner wanting to insert himself into the football side of the operation. Or at least, some of the previous members of the coaching staff believed it was true. Scheiner would have a different opinion.

3. The promotion of Brown and the reorganization of the front office by Haslam meant more changes. Just as he did with former general manager Mike Lombardi and Banner, Haslam decided to start all over again with new people. Or in the case of Brown, a new more powerful role for the former salary cap expert.

4. The Browns change presidents (or V.P. of Business) a lot. Here are some recent names: Scheiner (2013-16). Bryan Wiedmeyer (2010-12), Mike Keenan (2008-09) and others. Some years, it was hard to know who had the job. Sometimes, they were called CEO, a position that Carmen Policy, John Collins, Mike Holmgren and Banner have held over the years.

ABOUT THE BROWNS

1. The front office says it's an advantage that Jackson was part of two organizations where the coaches had significant input into the draft. He was the head coach in Oakland in 2011. He was an assistant with the Bengals, where head coach Marvin Lewis has real influence on the draft.

2. The Browns believe they can blend Jackson's common sense approach to football with the new analytics front office. The Browns don't intend to be a purely analytic team. But on certain topics such as signing older free agents, the data against that approach working is overwhelming.

3. The Browns would be really surprised if they re-sign all of their free agents. Huge dollars are expected to be thrown around. The Browns don't intend to chew up salary cap space simply because they have it.

4. The Browns have been paying a lot of attention to players in the draft who can bring pressure on the quarterback. In the last two years under Mike Pettine, the defense ranked 28th and 27th in sacks. In 2013, Ray Horton's defense was 15th in sacks. But Horton's defense led the NFL in fourth quarter points allowed.

5. I wrote a column about not using the No. 2 pick on Bosa because his best position is a 4-3 defense end. The Browns plan to play a 3-4, Horton's defense. That is not going to change. Bosa would have to be a linebacker in that defense, and it's not an easy transition.

6. One of the things the Browns have been cautioning themselves is "not to fall in love with what you see at the end of the process." That means, things at the Senior Bowl, Combine, etc. That's the frosting. The cake is the game films.

7. The Browns have kept nearly all of their scouts together. They are pulling together reports now under Player Personnel Director Andrew Berry. Then Paul DePodesta has his analytics group working on the draft and free agents from their perspective. Next, Brown and Jackson take all the data from both areas, and then put it together to form a draft board and approach to free agency. I'm very intrigued to see what this looks like once free agents are signed and the draft takes place.

8. No surprise, Armonty Bryant was suspended by the NFL for four games for breaking PED policy. Bryant had drug issues in college. He is at a critical point in his career in terms of his football future. The Browns need pass rushers and in brief spurts, Bryant has shown the ability to do just that.

Cleveland.com

Cleveland Browns head into free agency and should look at Jaye Howard, Lamar Miller, younger players -- Terry Pluto

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It starts March 9, NFL free agency.

Some fans have been emailing that the Browns should try to sign Mario Williams. There is some surface logic to the thought. Until last season, Williams has been one of the better pass-rushers in the NFL.

But in 2015, he slipped to 5.5 sacks. Williams blamed his problems on Buffalo coach Rex Ryan, who changed some of the defensive schemes.

Maybe Williams is right. Or maybe not. Some insist he lost interest last season.

But more meaningful, he's 31 years old.

When the name of Mario Williams comes up in the Browns meetings, I can imagine the analytics guys screaming ... OH NO!!!

Williams is exactly the kind of player the Browns should not sign, at least not to any type of lucrative contract.

That's exactly what analytics will say. It's also exactly what the Browns have done over the last few seasons.

Over the weekend, I wrote how the new Browns front office considers football "a young man's game." They look at the signing of veterans such as Karlos Dansby, Tramon Williams, Donte Whitner and others and they want to weep. Yes, those players still have some ability.

But for what the Browns plan to do, which is build through the draft and with younger veterans -- those signings made no sense.

So don't think about Matt Forte for the Browns. He's a 30-year-old running back. Or linebacker Tamba Hali, who is 32.

Here are some of my thoughts on free agency:

WANT A PASS RUSHER?

Malik Jackson is 26, had 5.5 sacks for Denver and is rated the top free agent, period, by some experts. The 290-pounder is 26 years old, the sweet spot for free agents. He can play end in the 3-4 defense for the Browns.

Do they throw huge dollars at Jackson?

Jaye Howard makes more sense as is expected to cost less than Jackson. The 27-year-old 303-pound defensive end has emerged as a starter the last two season in Kansas City. He was cut by Seattle earlier in his career. He had 5.5 sacks and 31 QB hits for the Chiefs.

He actually is considered better against the run, something the Browns also need.

Notice that they have the same sack totals as Williams -- 5.5. The difference is Howard and Jackson are entering their peak seasons, Williams is probably in decline. I really like Howard for the Browns.

WANT A RUNNING BACK?

Free agent Lamar Miller is 24. He's been in the NFL for four years, but has only 638 career carries with Miami. Last season., Miller rushed for 872 yards (4.5 yards) and 8 TDs. He also caught 47 passes.

Miller fits the profile. He's young. He;s not been pounded by having a heavy workload at running back. He not only can run, but he catches passes. He seems to be peaking. The analytics guys should love him.

The hard part is his agent -- Drew Rosenhaus. Miller won't come cheap.

The big name will be Doug Martin, who rushed for 1,402 yards and a 4.9 average with Tampa Bay last season. He will be extremely expensive. He lost five fumbles. Miller only lost one. I don't picture Martin with the Browns. I expect him to stay in Tampa Bay.

I've liked Chris Ivory, and he had a career season with 1,040 yards rushing for the Jets. His career average is 4.6 yards per carry, and has 883 carries. He's 27 years old, but only became a starter in his last two seasons.

The Browns may decide they are okay at running back with Duke Johnson and Isaiah Crowell. Perhaps they will draft a back. But I do like Miller and Ivory.

WANT A RECEIVER?

This is a tough one.

Think about this: Andrew Mason on the Broncos team website ranked Travis Benjamin of the Browns as his pick for the best free agent wide receiver in 2016. Benjamin is at least in the top three, and Browns fans know that he has some talent but also is limited.

Marvin Jones has been linked to the Browns. He played for Hue Jackson in Cincinnati. He's 26, so that's the right age. He caught 65 passes for a 12.6 yards average.

The good news is Jackson should know if Jones is capable of being a big-time receiver. Or was he really helped by playing next to all-world receiver A.J. Green, who drew most of the defensive attention?

Another young free agent receiver is Reuben Randle, who has caught 128 passes (13.5 average) in the last two years with the Giants. He's only 24 and is 6-foot-2, 208 pounds. That's the kind of big receiver the Browns can use. Some stories have questioned Patterson's attitude. He also was helped by playing on the same team as O'dell Beckham.

One of the knocks on Randle is he averaged only 3.5 yards after the catch (YAC) last season. He's had some knee problems.

Mohamed Sanu has been connected with the Browns. He's another Bengal, and he caught 33 passes. He's 26, and is 6-foot-2, 210 pounds. My guess is one of the former Bengals -- Sanu or Jones -- will show up in Cleveland.

That's fine. But my suggestion is that the Browns get very serious about finding a big-time receiver in the draft because there's not much help in free agency.

WANT TO STAY HOME?

It's doubtful the Browns will keep all four of their key unrestricted free agents.

But a strong case can be made for all of them being needed. Tackle Mitchell Schwartz and center Alex Mack are important as the team plans to draft a young quarterback. Schwartz is 27, Mack is 30.

And yes, they want to come out of the draft with a quarterback whom they believe can eventually become a starter.

If Mack and/or Schwartz leave, they need to find at least one lineman in free agency -- unless they plan to draft one very high.

Cleveland.com's Tom Reed wrote of Indiana's Jason Spriggs as a draft possibility for the line.

As for their other two free agents, Tashaun Gipson is a very good safety when healthy. Benjamin is one of the best receivers in a very weak free agent class.

My two priorities would be the offensive linemen, then Gipson. I like Benjamin, but he'd be fourth on my list.

Cleveland.com

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/03/07/eagles-reportedly-open-to-trading-ryan-mathews-too/

If the right price was cheap, I wouldn't mind trading for Ryan Matthews.

Like I said before, Lamarr Miller would be a good pickup it just depends on the price

He impressed me (Pasztor) hen he stepped in and it got better in the middle. May not be the starter, but he was good and can push whoever is. Better than Erving IMO down the stretch.

Thanks. Pluto seldom disappoints. I do not always agree, but he is sensible and clear as a rule, and usually is worth the time to think about his opinions. I appreciate what he has to say here. The age stuff surprised me; but then, so did the Bowe signing (and sitting). He is pretty thorough and his priorities make decent sense. I found his discussion of the draft prep very interesting; hope it improves us.

yes liking this team more I would be happy if we signed some of are own players plus just him.

http://fansided.com/2016/03/07/nfl-trade-rumors-cardinals-shopping-calais-campbell/

Cards shopping Calais Campbell

He's a Horton favorite.

It would be a $15,250,000 cap hit.
It's also a one year contract.

I'd love to have the guy on the team but that is an awful expensive one year rental.

Maybe they'll cut him and we can sign him then.

That is a huge number for a guy with only one year left on his deal.

As much as I would love to have Campbell, he would have to agree to an extension.

Agreed

There's a strong chance that we're cheap in free agency.

I'd prefer that than overpaying a bunch of average second stringers. Just my preference.

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2016/03/bengals_adam_jones_draws_inter.html

Browns interested in Pac-Man

Oh God please No!

X2

Reason I think it could be good a little attitude is needed on defense. My concern is he won't come cheap, and how much more can he cheat father time.

Weren't discipline issues a gigantic reason for Jackson being let go from Oakland?

Athyba Rubin re-signed with Seattle for three years per ProFootballTalk and Seattle beat writers.

Dwayne Allen signed 4 years, >$29 million to stay in Indy per himself, the Colts, and multiple major online outlets. He's really the only TE I was interested in is signing in FA .

Report: Browns interested in Jaguars center Wisniewski

Posted by Zac Jackson on March 7, 2016, 5:55 PM EST
Jacksonville Jaguars OTA's
Getty Images
The Browns have expressed interest in Jaguars center Stefen Wisniewski ahead of the start of free agency, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reported Monday.

Wisniewski was drafted by the Raiders in 2011 when new Browns coach Hue Jackson was the Raiders head coach. The Browns showing interest in the Jaguars center with their longtime center, Alex Mack, a free agent marks a role reversal. The Jaguars pursued Mack in 2014 when the Browns gave Mack their transition tag.

The Jaguars signed Mack to an offer sheet but the Browns matched. His new contract included an opt-out clause after two seasons that Mack exercised last week; he will become a free agent on Wednesday. The Falcons are reportedly interested in Mack.

Wisniewski, 26, started all 16 games last season, his first with the Jaguars. He signed a one-year deal for $2.5 million as he was coming off shoulder surgery.

He has started all 77 games he’s played during his five-year career.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/category/rumor-mill/

sounds like we letting Mack go and keeping Schwartz????

Sounds like we're losing both.

It's weird, but Pac Mac has turned into a veteran leader who teammates love him. He's actually pretty good too.

Joe Barksdale got a four year deal (we don't know for how much). He is not nearly as good as Mitchell Schwartz.

I would say it's near 100% that we lose Schwartz.

Starting to feel a lot like we're churning the roster to build Hue's team. Letting solid to better players walk in FA is never good unless you are replacing them with somebody that is better, and that rarely happens.

Don't really like the Hue hire, still trying to let things unfold before I judge the guy/team, sure hope he proves me wrong.

It appears like we're targetting WIsniewski to replace Mack, Marvin Jones to replace Benji, and maybe keeping Schwartz?

Same old .... sign new players to replace the old. Stand in place and not improve.

Its better than getting worse isn't it?

j/c:

I saw the prediction article earlier. I have a prediction, too:

The "new" Browns FO is going to be a disaster.

One consideration: Even if youth and building through the draft are the right (and probably painful) moves, how long do we suffer the losses of decent players short term until it proves out for us? Major attrition has to hurt us short term. Been wrong before, but this FO better have a few home runs if we want to improve our competitiveness, especially in the division.

We are still shaking the tree; some interesting folks may become available. Hope we don't hesitate to use some cap. Interested in who signs tenders and how quickly. Might be a reliable indicator of the locker room attitude.

This is an illustration of the Chinese curse: "May you live in interesting times." Bubbles everywhere with folks on them; if it gets more interesting, then I may not be able to stand it.

Every regime I can remember had the same philosophy. It's nothing new.

We'll see what happens, but if the reports are true, the Browns are going to lose some of their home-grown, fairly-young, and better players and will replace them w/guys who aren't as good. That sounds identical to what we did the last couple of years.

Haha CAN it get worse??

Unfortunately, the players have to want to come back. Until we start winning and/or show some stability, we are unlikely to be a popular place to play. No matter how much a player may say they like Cleveland, most competitors like winning more. We still don't have a QB going forward. Projecting winning seasons here is a tough sell. Maybe Hue can sell some of his former players on the Browns, but our now FA guys have heard this song and dance before.

https://twitter.com/christomasson/status/707223458338308096

I think the recent rumors of the Vikings trying to restructure Loadholt's contract could validate this.

j/c:


https://twitter.com/ESPNCleveland/status/707226495618555904