Any time we can get information from the front office, it gives us a better idea on how the Browns front office operates. Some interesting reading in the article below...Browns' Sashi Brown will 'stay aggressive at QB' and 9 other takeaways from NFL meetings
Updated March 29, 2017
Sashi Brown will 'stay aggressive' in finding a QB
PHOENIX — Browns head of football operations Sashi Brown met with a small group of local media at the NFL owners meeting on Tuesday and covered a wide range of topics, including the pursuit of the quarterback, how Terrelle Pryor got away, his thoughts on the Brock Osweiler trade, possible interest in the No. 1 overall pick and more.
He echoed the sentiments of coach Hue Jackson, who vowed the Browns are doing everything possible to find their long-term QB, from scouring other teams’ rosters to conducting private visits with the college prospects, which Brown is in on this year.
The top personnel executive in the building says it’s a collaborative effort, but that he still has final say over all roster decisions, including the No. 1 pick and acquiring that elusive QB. He stressed that it’s his job to "get Hue the talent he needs to helps us compete and win this division."
Here are 10 takeaways from 20 minutes with Brown:
By Mary Kay Cabot, cleveland.com
1. Expect some bold moves to land a QB
Brown can't mention the names of other teams’ QBs (Jimmy Garoppolo, AJ McCarron), but he indicated he’ll roll the dice to land their man, whether that’s trying to trade for a veteran or moving up to take a college QB.
“We’ve shown we want to be aggressive and that doesn’t necessarily mean that something’s going to get done,’’ he said. “We don’t want to force things just to have things happen, but we are going to stay aggressive at quarterback as we will all positions.
"But we also know one player is not going to change things. Finding a starting quarterback, whether he’s on our roster and develops or we go out and acquire one, will help things dramatically, but we’re going to take it step by step here and see what opportunities present themselves."
2. Will Brock stay or go?
Brown wouldn't concede that Brock Osweiler was a throw-in to acquire a second-round pick in the trade with the Texans or that the team is just waiting to unload him and at least some of his $16 million guaranteed salary.
"I wouldn't characterize it that way and I can understand how it would be interpreted that way,’’ he said. “But for us, it was about finding another young quarterback but also making sure that the conversation that came along with it made sense for us. So it's the package of the player and the pick.’’
He did indicate, however, that he talked to teams about Osweiler soon after the trade.
“There's no doubt there was a lot of calls that came into us,’’ he said. “There's a number of teams out there looking for quarterbacks still and certainly were at that time right at the start of free agency and we're talking to teams constantly during that period. We're not going to get into some of the discussions (that took place) and some that are ongoing."
He also defended spending $16 million to move up from the fourth round to the second.
“We acquired a player under a (guaranteed) contract along with the picks that made sense for us."
3. On losing Terrelle Pryor to the Redskins
Brown pinned Pryor’s departure on him and his agents, Drew and Jason Rosenhaus, after they turned down the Browns’ offer of $8 million per year for four years.
"First we feel good about having Kenny (Britt) added to our team,’’ Brown said. “We did try to work with Terrelle to try to find common ground and we just didn't. Terrelle decided he wanted to take a one-year deal. We had discussions with his representatives throughout. They were respectful. We wish Terrelle the best. He's not on our roster. In some ways, that's unfortunate. But in many ways, that's a decision that he (made)."
4. They will get calls for the No. 1 pick -- and they'll listen
Brown indicated that the Browns will stay put this year and select a player — presumably Myles Garrett. But he’ll answer the phone.
"We’ll always listen if teams want to call us,’’ he said. “We do feel good about some of the players that are going to be available at the top of the draft. We haven't made our decision yet, but we have a number of players that we feel like can really help us there. But we do know there will be a couple teams that are going to be interested in talking to us about that pick."
5. He’ll keep everyone in suspense until they’re on the clock April 27
Brown has no plans to announce their choice at No. 1 until they hand in the card in Philadelphia on draft night. At this point, he won’t even concede that the Browns have pretty much settled on Garrett, which sources have said is the case.
“I wouldn’t get into that and we’ve got some process left here, so other than to say obviously we recognize Myles’ talent, wouldn’t comment on that,’’ he said.
“At this point there are (several candidates at No. 1) to be honest and we want to use our full allotment of the clock. So we’re on the clock now and we’re going to continue doing work on all of these prospects, even the guys that we feel we have a really good grasp on.’’
6. Is Jackson is driving the bus on the QB decision this year
Although Jackson is expected to have a bigger voice on QB, the buck still stops at Brown’s desk.
“We’d reach that decision collectively,’’ Brown said. “At the end of the day it’s my decision on who we pick, but Hue and I talk constantly. We’ll have a lot more discussions between now and the night of the 27th, 28th and 29th to see what’s available there. If there’s a player on another team, that could be something that we look at as well. We’ll have a lot of those conversations and chop it up between the two of us to get to the right decision for our team."
He wouldn’t concede that Jackson has more input this season than last, when the Browns drafted a quarterback in Cody Kessler who didn’t fit his prototype.
“No, and I wouldn’t say he had too little, too much or anything like that,’’ Brown said. “I just wouldn’t compare it. We’re working well together is the way I’d characterize it.’’
7. On losing out on unrestricted free agent safeties Tony Jefferson and Bradley McDougald
The Browns struck out on two targeted safeties in free agency, while one of their own, Jordan Poyer, signed elsewhere. Jefferson took less money from the Ravens and McDougald opted for the Seahawks. What will the Browns do to fortify the spot? Ohio State’s Malik Hooker is one of the top two in the draft, and they’ll consider him in the first round.
“We'll look at the safety position,’’ Brown said. “We want to get better across the defense, but in the defensive backfield is certainly a place."
8. Will the Browns explore a trade for AJ McCarron
Brown can’t mention names, but would he trade for AJ McCarron, who said he wants to play somewhere? The Bengals will listen to any offers, but at least one source within the Bengals organization doesn’t see owner Mike Brown executing the first-ever trade with the Browns.
Will the Browns try? Jackson, speaking generically, has said “anything’s a possibility until it’s not.’’
“I’ve seen these reports (about McCarron)," said Brown. “Don’t believe everything you read."
9. On the 2016 draft class
Only second-round pick Emmanuel Ogbah lived up to expectations, and none of the 14 draft picks made the All-Rookie team. Jackson is calling for Corey Coleman to step it up in 2016, and the Browns are hoping for more out of their sophomores.
“We’re pleased with the strides that all of our guys (have made),’’ he said. “We’re pleased with what (Coleman) produced. We’ve got to keep him healthy this year and get going. We do anticipate all of these guys will get better in their second and third years. We certainly expect a lot from them."
10. On welcoming Josh Gordon back if he’s reinstated
Brown left the door open for Gordon's return, but it’s doubtful he’ll actually suit up and play for the Browns again. More than likely, they’ll try to trade him. The Browns have given Gordon enough chances and a change of scenery is probably best. But it can’t hurt to drum up trade offers.
“We’re not in a position at wide receiver to turn down a guy like Josh if we feel like he’s settled himself,’’ said Brown.
He noted that if Gordon is on his game, he’d ‘be a talent I think no team in the NFL would turn down if he got back in.’
Of course, Gordon first has to be reinstated, and Roger Goodell, who stuck his neck out for him last year, will want to be really sure this time.
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