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Texans cut old friend Tashaun Gipson.

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2020/04/27/texans-cutting-safety-tashaun-gipson/#comments

He's older, but he's not ancient. I haven't kept up on his performance since the moment he left town. He seems like exactly the type of player that tends to get on BOB's bad side in a hurry (talks).

We already brought in a mediocre vet... is Gipson a better, mediocre vet?

I didn't watch their games, but he had 3 picks, 1 for a TD, in 14 games. Maybe he'd be useful in a defense that features more DBs and less LBs?

I don't think it makes sense to add yet another veteran to that room right now.

Maybe not, but I just like Safeties with a knack for the ball. Tipped balls, overthrows, and fumbles just seem to find him, kind of like Felix Wright back when we were good.

Kinda like our MLB last year .........

I’d be okay adding a vet LB ... but we already did at S in Joseph

I agree with you. No way we're interested now.

But let's just say you do have that time machine. Do you fire it up to get Gipson? I don't know.

I would risk it with him, or at least something like him. We need a Schobert alternative (don't think we can replace all the 'extras' he gave us infield and on roster, at least not quickly.

Matthews would suit me, but not sure he is mobile enough anymore.

j/c...

We just had a draft that was loaded with them and they didn't take one??

Is Ted Ginn a tight end? I thought the Bears were only allowed to sign tight ends?

JADEVEON CLOWNEY
DL, UNSIGNED FREE AGENT

ESPN's Dianna Russini reports the Seahawks and Titans have made "multiple" offers to free agent Jadeveon Clowney.

And none have reportedly met his desired price tag. Russini was also told the 27-year-old EDGE rusher is "just not in a hurry to sign" considering organized activities are still up in the air. With no mandatory workouts in the near future, Clowney's market will likely remain at a standstill until he budges from his own requests. This situation could last well into the summer.

RELATED: Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans
SOURCE: Dianna Russini on Twitter
May 1, 2020, 10:14 AM ET

Well, I'd say we are absolutely out of that market (aside from not being mentioned).

I’m surprised Clowney is still just 27 lol

Retweeted

Terez A. Paylor
@TerezPaylor
·
7h
The Chiefs have agreed to a 1-year deal with DL Taco Charlton, a source tells Yahoo Sports.

When he was in college, I thought that Taco was going to be a better pro than he has been thus far.

The Browns are in a unique cap position to make a blockbuster move along with some signings that would immediately upgrade the defense.

With Garrett basically locked in for the next 2-years, (I would however expect them to renegotiate during next summer) and Mayfield and Ward looking at 5-year options being exercised next year - the biggest concern next off season will be running back with Hunt being a FA and Chubb going into his final year. With RB investments now questionable, it will be interesting to see if the Browns invest.

That said, on defense the Browns should make a couple of moves to dramatically upgrade the defense now. Trading for DE Ngakoue from Jacksonville would be a huge improvement move. This would have to be a sign and trade deal where the Browns would offer to pay 24-year old Ngakoue a 4-year deal at 80 million and front end load the deal. The deal would include the Browns next year 2nd round pick and Njoku. The Browns would then immediately release Vernon and his 15.5 million dollar cap hit with no dead money. Ngakoue would be such an upgrade there would be no reason to keep Vernon and his balloon contract when that money could be used for the upgrade.

Vernon's salary and Njoku's would almost pay for the year 1 cap hit for Ngakoue (20 million vs 18.5 million) basically costing the Browns a 1.5 million cap hit in 2020. In year 2, Njoku's 6-million dollar cost plus the saving of the 2nd round pick of approx. 8-million total would pay almost 75% of the cost for Ngakoue in year 2 meaning the Browns would not take a serious cap hit until year 3. This would be a huge upgrade at DE with a young player (age 24) and not hurt the Browns at all parting with a TE #2 that's under performed and a DE that has not lived up to his contract.

The Browns should then sign Clay Matthews to a 2-year 8-10 million dollar deal to bring that experience factor in for the defense. The Browns should also sign 25-year old LB Darron Lee who was very productive at LB for the Jets but played a backup role for the Chiefs last year. Lee should come relatively cheap and a 2-year deal would bring that experience factor from a youthful veteran player to work in a rotational basis.

These moves would instantly give the Browns a defense to be reckoned with and the increased cost over the next 2-years is minimal, about 12-15 million per year cap increase for 3 players over the next 2-years.

I am not sure anyone should sign Clay Matthews at all, let alone for more than one year at more than the league minimum. He is basically a situational pass rusher who is old and was injured last year.

Also, I don’t see David Njoku having much value.

I’d much rather just sign Eversen Griffin or Jadeveon Clowney and not give up any draft picks.

If Clay Matthews’ name was Cam Wake no one would want him.

Quoted for truth. I wanted us to draft him and I thought he had a pretty productive career. But at this stage in his career I don't think signing him would be much help.

Clay's dad and uncle (Clay Jr, Bruce) both played productive football until the age of 40 - he is 33, about to be 34. He was injured last year (broken jaw), missed only 3 games due to it, but still had 8 sacks, 2 FF, 3 PD, 37 tackles (27 solo). He also had 1 TFL and 3 QB hits, in addition to those already counted by his sack total.

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MattCl99.htm

Given his genetics, and the high quality of play over most of his career, I see no reason why he couldn't be a significant contributor as a situational LB and/or pass rush specialist, nor should he be all that expensive salary-wise.

j/c

In terms of Matthews, it would definitely be cool .. but IMO would be a dumb signing. By all accounts he is basically done. I think we’d be better off signing a guy like Bradham than an aging guy like that. You hate to admit it, but take away his last name and nobody would blink an eye about him

I don't know if this was a reply to me, but if it was, I wouldn't admit anything when it comes to the Matthews family. They are built different than most of us, and most football players too - better, stronger, and with more longevity. When you're talking about Clay Matthews III, you can't take away the last name because the long-term productivity is baked into the genes that come with that name - IMO, of course.

I would be fine signing Clay Matthews to be a situational pass rusher for very little money (no more than one year).

I would be too, but his son is probably going to want a 2-3 year deal.

So, give up a 2nd and Njoku for one player... Give up two starters for one (technically three, but we get one back)?
And give him a fat contract, fatter than Clowney?



What is the fascination of weakening one area in order to overpay on upgrading another area?

Why wouldn't we just sign Clowney and keep Njoku and our draft pick?
If anyone has PFF premier to look this up, but I'm betting Clowney is a much better run defender than this guy. Better overall, lower cost.


And, I'd love the story of Clay coming here, but there's no chance. He's past his prime and also is on record of never wanting to play here because he knows he'd be in his Dad's shadow the entire time.

No, it wasn’t a reply to you ... thats why i put j/c before .. just my general thought lol .... its all good

j/c:

I always loved Clay Matthews Jr as a player and it would have been cool to see him in Cleveland, but at this particular point in time, it would not be a wise signing. Great player, but the sun is setting on a brilliant career. Hopefully, that doesn't offend anyone.

I'm not offended, but in the interest of accuracy, *our* Clay Matthews was the "Jr". His dad, Clay I, played for the 49ers in the 50's. We are talking about Clay Matthews III. I only mention it because this family is football royalty, and I find it hard to believe he is finished at 33, given his lineage. Its fine if we disagree, and I don't dispute that there's some degree of sentimentality in my wanting Clay III to finish his career where his father's started. I still think he could help this defense.

I agree. Go for the free agent. You don't have to give up anything in the way of draft picks and it isn't like Clowney isn't a good player.

Where's the value:

Ngakoue
Age: 25
Pro Bowls last 4-years: 1
Games Last 4-years: 62 starts in 63 games (missed 1 game)
Sacks: 37.5
Comb Tackles: 122
QB Hits: 85
Contract demands: long term 20-million per
Status: JAC Franchise Tagged 17.88 million

Clowney
Age: 27
Pro Bowls last 4-years: 3
Games Last 4-years: 56 starts in 58 games (missed 6 games)
Sacks: 27.5
Comb Tackles: 189
QB Hits: 72
Contract demands: Long-term 20-million
Status: FA

Vernon
Age: 29
Pro Bowls last 4-years: 1
Games Last 4-years: 49 starts in 49 games (missed 15 games)
Sacks: 25.5
Comb Tackles: 157
QB Hits: 67
Contract demands: signed for 15.5 million with bonuses could be 17-million
Highest scheduled paid Brown for 2020 to date.
Status: Under contract to the Browns

Just a quick comment on the Browns offensive plans of being a rush team first. In 2019, if you take out Baltimore who ran for an unbelievable amount of yards (3296) led by Jackson, you would see that the Browns were only 405 yds less or 25 yds per game less than the 2nd rated team SFO (2305 yds in 2019). In fact, if you look at yds per carry, the Browns finished 4th in the NFL at 4.84 only trailing Baltimore 5.53 (with a running QB), Arizona 5.03 (with a running QB) and Tennessee 5.00 with the leagues leading rusher. At the same production rate, the Browns would only have to run the ball about 5 times more per game than they did in 2019 to catch 2nd rated SFO.

In comparison to Minnesota where Ski was offensive coordinator last year using the double TE concept, they did rush for more yds total than the Browns but they also had to use 105 more attempts for .52 less yds per carry. Offensive total yds varied by only 12.5 yds per game with the vast majority of it coming on those extra 5 rushing attempts per game.

Red Zone (TD) offense was similar with the Browns rated 14th and MIN rated 10th. The huge difference is home and away Red Zone (TD) Offense. In 2019 at home, the Browns were the 4th most efficient team in Red Zone (TD) Offense in the NFL at 67.86% while MIN was 17th at 57.69%. On the road in 2019, the Browns were a meager 45.5% and rated 25th in the NFL while MIN was 14th at 62.86%.

The Vikings did heavily utilize two-plus tight end sets throughout the season. Minnesota ran 550 plays (56.7 percent) with multiple-tight end formations, which was second-most in the league behind Philadelphia who also had serious WR issues in 2019. Twenty-eight of Minnesota's 45 offensive touchdowns were scored when there were two tight ends on the field.

The Browns ran 293 two-plus tight end sets throughout the season. Cleveland ran 30.4% with multiple-tight end formations yet managed more yds per carry from their RB's and nearly matched total offensive yds (12.5 yds per game difference). Some of the disparity can be attributed to Thielen missing 6 games and Diggs missing 1 game. With weak backups, this could account for the need to go to multiple TE sets.

Though I would expect a slight increase in multiple TE formations, I don't believe the increase will be noticeable. With upgrades at RT, TE, FB, and possibly LT with a full year of Hunt available, The Browns 4th rated yds. per carry rush offense should be equal too or better than 2019 without sacrificing 3-WR sets. The Browns have more of a question at WR3 than multiple TE sets. Another concern would be that MIN TE Rudolph's targets went down from an average of 98.3 the previous 3 years to 48 in 2019.

More games played than Clowney, FAR fewer tackles. It tells me that if he isn't getting to the QB he isn't doing much else. That highlights my concerns about him (aside from the exorbitant cost of two starters plus a fat contract). It's in all of his scouting reports.... best "pure pass rusher", but a liability in the run game.

You can't just give up two starters AND create a hole in the run game. Yes, you might get better pass rush stats, but you have to have balance AND value.

He fits the perfect age range this FO would pursue... productive young player seeking his first real contract, but that Franchise Tag is a killer. I can't even think of any player who was Franchise Tag'd, then traded, and then produced up to the value of the trade cost (plus contract). The value just isn't there.

That’s kind of surprising. I knew they were rumors about them trading him before draft.

I didn't realize that he's still with the Colts through 2020, so he won't be available until next season. In other words ... never mind.

Just a couple of items, Ngakoue is rated the #4 DE in the NFL. His pass rush capabilities would be a huge asset to our secondary. His pass rush capabilities would be a huge asset to Garrett. Ngakoue's asking price is similar to Clowney's except a long term deal would make much better sense than a 1 or 2 year deal on Clowney due to the age difference. Vernon and his 15.5 million is expendable with Ngakoue where that's questionable with Clowney making Clowney/Vernon about a 36-million dollar price tag for the position - REALLY?

As for his run defense and/or tackles, if he sets the edge and forces the plays inside then he's doing his job without making tackles. If he engages the o-line preventing them from getting to the second level so the linebackers can flow and fill the hole then he's doing his job without making tackles. D-line tackles are a little overrated because those usually mean they are beating the block. However, if the linebackers are consistently being blocked then your d-line is not doing their job of keeping the o-line from getting to the second level.

Now this may just be me but when I see a team go out and sign a FA like the Browns did with Hooper making him the highest paid TE in football, I don't suspect they plan on giving 50% less targets than the year prior. Also, if the Browns thought that there was any chance of Njoku being that player they wouldn't have sought out Hooper. I also believe that the more Njoku's poor run blocking is exposed the less playing time he will see.

The chances that Njoku sees 56 receptions like in 2018 is a pipedream. I suspect he'll get about 35-40 targets. Unloading Njoku now while teams are still looking at 2018 because of his injury last year makes perfect sense. If he is worse than 35
targets then there is no chance in hell that the Browns can unload his 6-million dollar contract in 2021.

All TE's combined in MIN last year had 83 receptions on 105 targets. Hooper himself had 75 receptions on 97 targets and got the highest contract for TE's in the NFL. I highly doubt that the Browns will do to Hooper what Ski did to Rudolph where Rudolph only saw 48 targets with 39 receptions. If they do then someone should be seriously questioning how we could have the highest paid TE in football getting only 39 receptions.

Trading Njoku is not weakening the TE position, it's actually already weak with him playing there with Hooper on the team because he's weak at run blocking and his targets will be very minimal this year.

Ngakoue's price is similar to Clowney. . . but we'd have to give up assets to get him.

I hope we stick w/Vernon and say no to Clowney and Ngakou.

It's confusing the stands that are taken on this board at times.

Signing a Clowney to whatever is going to cost somewhere between 18-20 million. Even at a 1-year or 2-year deal that's a huge investment. Signing Clowney and keeping Vernon now makes that investment somewhere between 35-37 million for a single position. Numerous posts here talk about the future and what the Browns might have to pay (blah Blah Blah) but don't hedge a moment about investing 35-million in the off side edge rusher for this year.

Now, in the last 3 years Vernon has missed 11 games. Production wise he's had 17 sacks and 66 tackles. All things considered, that would mean the Browns can expect 12 games out of Vernon with 5.6 sacks and 22 tackles. 15.5 million for that type of production is hugely over paying. Considering the weakness at LB and safety at this point, going into the season with Vernon when you could upgrade the position that would help out those weak areas seems like a valued investment especially when you consider Vernon is in his final year in Cleveland. Like Vernon or not, he has not lived up to his value cost.

The future: in 2021 off season, the Browns will have 4 question marks on offense. Upgrade at RG, do they exercise the 5th year option on Mayfield, RB with Hunt being a FA and Chub going into his final year of his contract and do they make a huge investment at RB, and did the Wills move work.

Defensively the Browns have huge issues. 1 safety opening for sure assuming Delpit becomes a starter. Whether to exercise the 5th year option on CB Ward. Garrett in his final year of contract and an extension. All LB positions are questionable at this point. Off side DE open if not addressed this year. DT Larry Ogunjobi will be a FA. This means the Browns could have 6 of the 11 defensive positions as question marks in the 2021 off season.

So player value becomes important at this stage. Vernon has no trade value (no one would trade for his contract with his past production) but Vernon's team value is a release with no dead cap and using that money to upgrade the off side DE now.

Njoku's team value now is in question. Signing a Hooper to the highest deal for a TE and expecting him to share his targets and receptions is highly unlikely. I don't believe you sign a guy to the highest deal in football for a TE to cut his targets by 50%. That would mean that Njoku's main contribution would be blocking in 2-TE sets which is the weakest part of his game outside of his drops. It also means that his targets will drop to around 30 at best. Is 3-million this year and 6-million next for a weak blocking TE with reduced targets a good value move? Today, Njoku's value is based on his 2018 production since he was injured for most of 2019. Thinking that Njoku will have 56 receptions for the 2020 Cleveland Browns is a pipe dream. Njoku's team value at this point is trade capital. Not making the move this year will eliminate any trade value in 2021 if he posts the projected numbers above. No team is going to trade for TE #2 and
his 6-million dollar contract for 30 targets and 25 receptions or so. Also, is it a good value move for the Browns to keep a poor blocker for 25 receptions at a 6-million dollar tag in 2021? Njoku's biggest value for the Browns today is trade value and should be used to bolster the defense if available.