DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Thomas' patience being tested by Browns

Well me personally, I wouldn't mind overpaying my guy 2-5 mill extra if it ensured that he would be in on time ( Besides we do have the most cap space if I remember correctly, so 2-5 mill should be a non-issue spread over 7 years)

There is a reason we have the most cap space(besides the fact that we don't really have big money in 1 skill guy yet lol)

Phil is wise...let him do his thing...and the dude that is crunching the #s for cap space....i forget his name?

Savage is part of the reason but not he whole reason. The real reason that we have all kinds of cap space is the fact that Couch, Warren, Green, Brown, and Faine are no longer on the team. Usually big cap eaters are your really good draft choices,which, we have very few of.

And yes I will give Savage credit that he did cut the dead weight, but we have a lot of cap space for one and one reason only and that reason is BAD DRAFTING

However, if the Browns don't want to give Joe 3 money then he shouldn't sign.........if they won't give Quinn incentives to make sure he's getting paid like an established NFL QB in years 4 and 5 (and remember these are incentives IF he's an established starter) then he shouldn't sign.

I think it falls somewhere in the fact Thomas is a linemen..and they don't feel they want to overpay for him..but guess what?
If he's going to be the starter for 7-10 years...U better pay him..

Each side can be as mercenary as they like, but the bottom line is it will be enough on a guarantee. If you look at what we would have needed for a Pace-type in FA, just about ANYTHING can be within reach. This is his shot at the gold ring; we pulled the trigger, so he owes the FO nothing if this was a dumb "impulse" buy. And to shovel it to Quinn? nah. This s not a round to subsidize the club in his 1st campaign. Make your money by selling an extra QB or three; we got plenty IMHO. But this guy, in camp, day one, is a priority. And if you are a bit rich, hey, pebbles in the pond. Sets the bar to cripple every other unsigned out there. Get this done. It will matter in games later one way or the other. You cannot "spend" losses.
Meanwhile, go Browns! And may the Elf be with you!

No. 3 pick should get No. 3 pay
By Terry Pluto
Joe Thomas was the No. 3 pick in the draft, so the Browns should pay him like the No. 3 pick.

That might sound obvious, but the NFL can be twisted at this time of year, when other teams pressure you to pay your draft picks less while refusing to be frugal with their picks.

Thomas is a left tackle, and left tackles are not supposed to be drafted that high. Or if they are, then you shouldn't pay them as much as, say, a quarterback or receiver.

That's because those are ``skill'' positions.

A left tackle, well, he just blocks, as if that takes about as much skill as, say, dragging your garbage can to the curb.

This is not to suggest the Browns believe that, but it's the prevailing NFL attitude. All teams preach the gospel of blocking, but very few pay like it. So they play hardball with linemen, and genuflect at the altar of the quarterback.

Ask Tim Couch or Ty Detmer or Kelly Holcomb or any other Browns quarterback of recent seasons what it would mean to have even an average line.

``You mean I can play a few games without a concussion?'' they'd say. ``Nah, never happen in Cleveland.''

General Manager Phil Savage seems determined to change that philosophy that has doomed this franchise -- and its quarterbacks -- since its return in 1999. He has poured major money into veteran offensive linemen such as LeCharles Bentley, Eric Steinbach and Kevin Shaffer.

If the other general managers don't like the idea that the Browns would pay a left tackle like a No. 3 pick, here's what Savage should say: ``Go run your own team. I'd like to keep my quarterback out of the hospital this season.''

Bringing Thomas into camp soon is crucial because true teamwork is the heart of any offensive line. The only starters returning from last year are center Hank Fraley and Shaffer, the 2006 left tackle.

There is talent but little continuity. Left tackle is the key spot on the line, much as a closer is in a baseball team's bullpen. The left tackle protects the blind side of a right-handed quarterback, and he usually is matched against the opponent's best pass rusher.

If Thomas can play even an average NFL left tackle as a rookie, that's a huge advantage for the Browns. It matters more that he comes to camp on time than it matters for Brady Quinn because the rookie from Notre Dame is not projected to start at quarterback.

Thomas is a big deal, a major block in building a line. Let's not call it ``rebuilding'' because that implies the Browns once had a good offensive line. Maybe they did -- in the 1980s for a franchise that now plays in Baltimore.

So the Browns should pay Thomas according to what a No. 3 pick receives, and make no apology for it. No matter that in the past three years, the No. 3 selections have been two receivers (Larry Fitzgerald and Braylon Edwards) and quarterback Vince Young.

A case can be made that the quarterback has the most responsibility of any player on the field because he handles the ball more often than anyone else.

No doubt, Edwards believes he matters more than any tackle. But Edwards should know that if the tackles don't block, the quarterback has no time to throw Edwards the ball.

Besides, if you are drafted No. 3, then you should be paid like a third pick. Quarterback, wide receiver, left tackle or long snapper, it doesn't matter.

No. 3 is No. 3, and being drafted there means someone thought you were the third best player in the draft -- regardless of position.

If you are drafted No. 22 -- sorry, Brady -- you are a 22nd pick. The Browns correctly determined that Thomas would fill a greater need on this team and would make a bigger immediate impact than Quinn.

Right now, Thomas means more to this team, and the Browns should not worry about other teams when they pay him like it.

link

Good read. It makes sense to me. I hope the Browns aren't totally lowballing the guy, but that this is just negotiation time, not butting heads time.

Agree.. Good read.. Pay the #3 pick, #3 money.. Pretty simple to me.. We need Thomas in camp on Friday, get it done Phil.

If Savage can't get Thomas in camp on time without grossly overpaying, I think that Savage has failed the team...

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If Savage can't get Thomas in camp on time without grossly overpaying, I think that Savage has failed the team...

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I wouldnt say fail the team, If he over pays and handcuffs the team in future spending than I would say that,

Really many people afterwards say the money was the easy part, there a thousdands of things both sides need to agree on, teams want control over what commercials the players are in, that has to be agreed upon, will Joe be allowed to speed accross the lake in his new bass boat, not always the safest thing, it's not a will pay you this for this many years, agree and shake hands.

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Schaffer characterized the contract talks with the Browns as "good faith, open, honest dialogue."

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I am sure they were. Talks with a player who is free to go anywhere and you are trying hard to get are a bit different than with a person who really has no options for at least a year.

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"Thomas is represented by Denver-based All Pro Sports and Entertainment. When he was asked about his choice, he cited the role that his agent, Peter Schaffer , played in the decision-making."


Schaffer is Thomas's agent. The article's not refering to Kevin 'neck-tie' Shaffer, the LT.

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Really many people afterwards say the money was the easy part, there a thousdands of things both sides need to agree on, teams want control over what commercials the players are in, that has to be agreed upon, will Joe be allowed to speed accross the lake in his new bass boat, not always the safest thing, it's not a will pay you this for this many years, agree and shake hands.

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This would be the MacDonalds "Big Joe" fish sandwich!

As far as the boating stuff...well, this city has been there and I for one don't care to revisit that!

Sorry but you just repeated everything i said...instead of being general you are being specific....glad you understand what i was trying to say