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I know it would be kind of a joke signing (Harvard, FB, etc) ... but I actually think he'd be really good to pick up. Hue was great with Marcel Reece. Plus, he's like the best FB IMO

I don't think it would be a joke signing at all. I love this type of signing in free agency.

1. The guy is 25
2. The Browns aren't going to wildly overpay for his services. The FB position is one of the cheapest to pay. Even if he ends up being the most expensive FB isn't that big a deal.
3. Has a proven record of success at the position and is a catching threat
4. It's a legitimate piece (although minor) to the full team puzzle, IMO.

It's relatively lower-profile signings like this that help build a complete team. FA splashes can be exciting but I think this would be a great signing.

realistically, what type of deal would this take? 4 years 16 million?

He's also from Cle area IIRC

I am hoping we move away from a FB and go w/more one-back sets and bring in one of the dynamic TEs from the draft.

Quickly looking at overthecap.com, top two FBs are getting roughly $2 million per. Highest guaranteed was $2.3 million.

And yes, he's from Medina.

'SWISS-ARMY KNIFE' CAN PLAY MULTIPLE POSITIONS

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- This is a portrait of the modern-day fullback:

- Kyle Juszczyk breaks out of the huddle and lines up wide to the left-hand side. He will then make a sharp turn on the balls of his feet and, at the snap, plow forward into a maelstrom of bodies as a ball carrier follows close behind.

- Juszczyk will sometimes line up as an H-back on either side of the line, just off the shoulder of the tackle. Occasionally, he will stutter-step in motion slightly to one side, or he will stay where he is and again lead a charge into the tackle box.

- The Harvard graduate will, at times, take the fullback's traditional spot in the backfield, and then maybe move parallel to one side or the other to create an offset-I formation. He will then either lead the halfback into the line or flare out into space for a pass toward the sideline.

In other words, Juszczyk is a fullback with a full plate, a clear departure from what those at the position used to do.

"I might be listed as a fullback," Juszczyk said. "But I don't know if I really have one position on this team. I'm going to go wherever they put me and wherever I can help, and I'm going to contribute as much as I can."

At various points in the game's history, certain positions may have seemed not only devalued but practically obsolete.

The tight end was thought to be an endangered species when the "run-and-shoot" offense -- five wideouts fanned all over the field -- made inroads in the early 1990s. More recently, bell-cow, workhorse running backs are thought to be a dying breed.

Now, the same thing is happening with the pure fullback, the headstrong creature merely known for crashing into the line and leading a star halfback to glory via 1,000-yard seasons and multiple-touchdown games.

The Ravens have had their fair share of such players: Vonta Leach, Sam Gash, Alan Ricard and Lorenzo Neal, among others.

At 6-foot-1 and 240 pounds, Juszczyk is just as big as any of them, but his role is bigger and just as multidimensional.

"I relate it back to when I was in college [at Harvard]," Juszczyk said. "My position coach was also our head coach. When we were in meetings, we didn't just go over tight end stuff; we went over the entire offense.

"That's kind of how I have to prepare myself each week -- looking at the entire offense as a whole and just be ready. If they're going to put me at running back, fullback, tight end or whatever it is, I need to know what I need to do there."

Partially due to an offense riddled with injuries in 2015, Juzczyk was asked to do plenty and did it, setting career highs and leading all NFL fullbacks in receptions (41), receiving yards (321) and touchdowns (four).

His scoring plays came off the arms of three different quarterbacks, including a touchdown with less than five minutes to go that pulled the Ravens to within one score during an eventual loss at Arizona, 26-18.

But despite all the various ways in which he is used, Juszczyk is just like a traditional fullback in one sense: he doesn't carry the ball much. Now in his fourth season, his first two -- and to this point, only -- career carries came during last year's win against St. Louis.

That's just fine with offensive coordinator Marc Trestman, who takes great pride in seeing Juszczyk block for others and pass-protect for quarterback Joe Flacco.

"The thing that Kyle does is, No. 1, he is an excellent blocking fullback and lead back in our two-back offense. He fits the bill there," Trestman said. "I think we saw how he caught the ball out of the backfield in the backfield position, as well. We had him in the flats and the sidelines. We will continue to utilize him up the field, and he is transitioning into playing on the line of scrimmage as well.

"He is really considered one of our tight ends, as well, in a lot of our formations. He has all of those capabilities."

By now, the overused label "Swiss Army Knife" has been placed on players who take on a lot of roles. But in the salary cap era, versatility is not only prized, it is a necessity for any player who wants to stick around.

Juszczyk is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and if anyone deserves the Swiss-Army moniker, he does. But besides the physical part of the game, he knows how important it is to think one's way through a four-quarter crucible.

"The game is incredibly mental," Juszczyk said. "When it comes to knowing your assignments and being able to adjust on the run, it definitely can be mentally taxing.

"I don't know if my Harvard education necessarily helped with that, but just being a smart football player definitely helps."

What helps is knowing where to be and, more importantly, when to be there.

That's what modern-day fullbacks do.

https://www.pressboxonline.com/2016/08/17/ravens-kyle-juszczyk-portrait-of-a-modern-day-fullback

FB isn't a priority for me.

Vitale can do it all (block & catch). Keep grooming him.

Juszczyk would be a nice pickup.

I'm pleased we are being cited as having interest in viable, younger FAs. I think last year the FO was still too new,for want of a better term. This year, I think they have crystallised how they want to build - via the draft with good supplemental pieces in FA.

I'm intrigued as to what compensation we would have to give for Trumaine Johnson. Bouye or Johnson would be great; draft a safety and another CB in this insanely deep class, secondary fixed. Is it right we have interest in Jefferson and Cyprien as SS? It does seem we either believe we have a FS or we have one in mind for the draft.

j/c:

My other FA acquisition wish would he to sign someone that can change our uniforms back to something respectable.

He is 32. Personally, I'd pass. If we were a piece away, maybe. But I wouldn't spend FA dollars on someone at that age, IMO.

I am not a fan of signing fullbacks that we won't use, but Juszczyk can do a lot of different things. He's a really good receiver and can block. I'd take him.

https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/839491288940625920

Damn.

Alas.



https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/839491288940625920

The Giants signed Brandon Marshall.

https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/839485618283495424

That, presumably, takes one of the rumored Pryor teams off the market.

Kyle Juszczyk - RB - Ravens
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the Bills have emerged as the favorite to sign free agent FB Kyle Juszczyk.

Scherter reported earlier Wednesday that the Browns are "very interested" in Juszczyk, so it sounds like he has a somewhat-hot market. Juszczyk isn't the normal fullback; on top of his lead-blocking duties, he can run the ball, catch it, and split out wide as a receiver. Juszczyk has 78 catches over the past two seasons and wants to sign with a team that will give him an even bigger role.
Related: Bills
Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter Mar 8 - 10:11 AM

According to Michael Lombardi of The Ringer, the Bears and Bills are "all over" free agent RT Rick Wagner.

The Bears have been in on Wagner from the start but this is the first time we've seen the Bills linked to him. Wagner won't come cheap, but he'd be a massive upgrade for Buffalo at right tackle. Jordan Mills was one of the worst tackles in football last season, earning PFF's No. 68 grade out of 76 qualifiers. Wagner is expected to command $8 million annually.
Related: Bills, Bears
Source: Michael Lombardi on Twitter Mar 8 - 10:44 AM

I wanted Wagner. THought he'd be a big upgrade

Jason La Canfora‏Verified account @ JasonLaCanfora 47s 47 seconds ago

Guard Kevin Zeitler will do quite well on the open market. Hearing the Colts, Jags and Browns are in on him

Adam Caplan‏Verified account @caplannfl now 5 seconds ago
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Veteran QB Brian Hoyer is looking for a team that will offer him a chance to start. 1-2 teams are offering him that chance as of now.

I didn't ever think we were actually in on him. I'm guessing our right tackle next year will be someone already on the roster (Coleman, Erving, Drango, etc.). I also think agents are throwing our names in just about every rumor because we have the most cap room.

49ers if they don't get Cousins and who?

As a backup, sure. As a starter, wow. How are there two teams willing to let Hoyer start for them?

I guess this might underscore how little QB talent there is in the NFL. It amazes me the most popular sport in the country can't find more than 20 competent QBs.

too old (32), i rather have hankins(24) if I'm spending on a DT in FA

Garcon getting 16 million in year 1 hurts our chances with Pryor

Only if there were a team out there willing to give Pryor insane money in year 1.

If no team is willing to do that, then I don't see Pryor retiring.

It's definitely not good, but it'll be more about the guarantees.

realistically, which teams left would be candidates for Pryor? Giants/9ers/Eagles out now.

Titans? Colts?

I think Eagles are the biggest threat.

DJax reportedly is going there

Titans and Eagles. Those are the two I'm worried about.

It's still up in there air. Bucs are reportedly offering a lot.

Jets would be team 2. Have heard Jets love Kizer but understand he needs one or two years. Hoyer could be their guy while he is groomed.

Do you think they'd take Kizer in the first or hope he's there until the 2nd round (or trade back up into the first)?

The #Lions and OT Ricky Wagner have agreed in principle on a contract, source said. It will eclipse $9M per year, setting a new market.

https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/839533253967106049

Last year Schwartz got five years, $33 million with $15 million guaranteed. Wagner is going to get quite a bit more. Everyone has cap space.

Also, the Ravens just got worse.

Lions with a nice signing IMO

Yup. Best right tackle on the market.

I was kinda hoping we would go after him, but I didn't really believe we would. I would have preferred getting a RT rather than a guard. Not that we have signed a guard yet....LOL