DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum How would YOU fix this team?

REALLY slow day here at work, and I have nothing better to do.

Here's the guidelines.

1. You get one offseason

2. Any trade has to be realistic (as in someone who is rumored to be available or become available)

3. You can sign any of the free agents listed here. *Unless they have already signed an extension, but this is the best list I could find* (Again, within reason)

4. For your draft, you get first 3 rounds, and can assume we are picking #1 overall.


I'm going to take some time to figure out my approach for this team, but there's the guidlines, go!

1) Trade ALL my draft picks in the 4th round and below to get more 1st - 3rd round picks.. (None of those guys pan out)...

2) Start getting talent in the trenches.. ie Offensive Line & Defensive Line (which we are just a few bodies short of)...

3) Find a veteran QB to go with until I build enough talent to insert a rookie QB to succeed. He needs an offensive line, a killer HB, a deep threat WR, and a talented slot WR.

4) Defensively, build my front 7 before I build anything else on D. MLB can be a Vet.. someone to tell everyone where they need to be. OLB's need to have SIZE & STRENGTH to be able to set the edge on a run, and also have great SPEED to get to the QB. D-Line, just give me 320 lb guys who have non-stop motors.

I didnt read the instructions.. hahah.

1. Keep Mangini - This isn't going to be a popular response. But I don't think Mangini is the problem. We've shown some great improvement under Mangini thus far. We might be 0-3, but let's remember that we didn't score a TD til like Game 6 last year. We've been much improved. If the improvement keeps up, then I give Mangini one more year to right this ship.

2. Fire Daboll - Who can we bring in? I don't know, but anyone is better than this clown. Daboll is gone.

3. Draft -

Round 1 - Andrew Luck - QB - Stanford - QB of the the present! Forget QB of the future. Luck comes in and starts Game 1 for this team. Forget sitting a Rookie QB, over the past decade, that has been FAR less effective than playing your Rookie QB.

Round 2 - Marcus Gilbert - OT - Florida - Gilbert is a big tackle at 6'5, 320 pounds. Would be a great addition to the right side of our line.

Round 3 - Austin Pettis - WR - Boise State. We need a big WR threat. At 6'3, 200 pounds, Pettis has good size, and has the potential to be a very good WR in this league.

Free Agency -

Vincent Jackson - WR - Say what you want about the guy, but he's MUCH better than anyone we have ont his roster. Would he come here? Who knows. What I do know is that this is a guy who would be at the top of my list when it comes to Free Agent targets.

David Harris - LB - The Jets simply aren't going to have the money to pay this guy. Would be a big addition to our LB squad. Again, would he come here? Who knows. But, I know I'm not looking to add a bunch of middle to lower tier free agents. I'm going after 2 guys, who can flat out play, and opening up the checkbook for them.

That's what I would be trying to do to turnt his around, and turn it around quick.

My Master Plan:

- Fire Brian Daboll. Don't like how the guy calls games at all, doesn't feel like he gets as much out of the offense as he should and he takes the fall for it. No idea who I would replace him with, but almost anyone would be an upgrade. Why not have the dawgtalkers call plays!?

- I keep Mangini and Ryan. Mangini has always been a defensive guy and Ryan is doing a good job with this defense. We are still missing some good front 7 play, but there has been much improvement while they have been around. This could obviously change at the end of the year, but so could the Daboll decision.

- Free agency I go after a defensive linemen, and a right tackle. I try to get starter quality out there but I don't have my hopes up of any premier free agent coming to Cleveland. I possibly target a younger linebacker for depth and special teams so we can afford to cut Barton and Bowens.

- In the draft, call me crazy but I would love to draft a stud receiver. I'd love to get Green from Georgia, from what I've heard he's the best prospect. But if my boy Jon Baldwin leaves Pitt early, he would be my top choice. I'd like to play Colt McCoy late this year to see if we need to address QB in the first round as well. If I am foced to take Luck or Mallet, in the 2nd and 3rd rounds I'd like to get an impact receiver (hopefully not miss this time) and a nice d-linemen prospect. Rest of the draft can be a couple o-linemen, a backer, and a safety.

1. The staff remains the same... although Daboll needs a strong evaluation, probably fired... I don't really care. I don't think that it is all his fault, but he is eminently replaceable.

2. Try to lure Sidney Rice here to be our deep threat WR

3. Try to lure Shaun Ellis here for the DL

4. Throw the entire wallet at Ngata to see if he'd come here.

5. Resign all of our key free agents like Matt Roth.


Draft:

I'm not all that up on the players, except Dont'a Hightower. Bring that kid here to play the middle LB spot.
Then, draft a big time RT and one more DB - Safety or CB, doesn't matter.

If we can, trade back up into the 2nd or 3rd and grab another BIG ( > 6' ) speedster WR.

No offense ..... but "Fire Daboll, and I don't know/care who we bring in" is idiotic.

If you're gonna fire someone, you better bring in someone better.

I say we keep all of our coaching staff.. including Dabol. When a play does not work, of course it looks bad, and of course you are going to say we should have did "blah blah blah blah blah".

I'm saying fire him and bring someone else in, and that I don't know or care because honestly I don't know who is out there that is OC material.

I'm sure there are others out there who could help us out by letting us know who the next "up and coming OC" is, but I just don't pay THAT much attention to it to know what postion coaches are next in line for OC jobs lol.

I would hire Mike Holmgren to be President and then trust him to fix it the right way and I'd stay out of it because I don't know how to build an NFL football team..

Ok, 1 offseason, I'll break it down by areas.

1. Front Office - no major changes.

2. Coaches:

A. Defensive Staff - keep the lot. Every last one of them all the way up to the Mangini.
B. Offensive Staff - Warhop stays. Let's start there. OL is doing their job and has been. but, if things don't improve, then most are gone. I'd like to possibly consider Gary Brown, but if he is cut, then I would go after Earnest Byner.
C. Special Teams Staff - Seeley definitely is retained.

So, bring in a more WCO-style offense to pair with our 3-4 defense.

3. Free Agents - trying to be optimistic but realistic from that list. go after (and hope to get a few):

A. Offense - James Jones(GB), Jacoby Jones (Houston), Zach Miller (Oakland),
B. Defense - Mathias Kiwanuka(NYG - Seymour type DE for us in 3-4), Shaun Ellis (NYJ), Trevor Pryce (Bal), David Harris (NYJ), Thomas Davis (CAR)
Note: Yes, I wanted to go after a S, but I don't see any team letting the good ones go.
Let's say of the above, we actually acquire: James Jones, Zach Miller, David Harris, and Shaun Ellis (will make the Cleveland Jet jokes come back but who cares)

4. Draft (complete guesswork at who will be available what round at this point, and I'm not going to bother to figure out what 'extra' picks we have...just going standard 7 round):

1st: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford - assuming he comes out as a junior with possibly no CBA
2nd: Ballard, DE, Iowa - load of a DE who can play run and get after QB.
3rd: Adam Grant, OT, Az - played RT until this year at LT. shutdown Clayborne (Iowa's 1st round DE).
4th: Jarrett, Temple, S - Doubt he slips this far, but why not. He fits the mold of hard hitting safeties we have though he isn't a true FS, which we could use.
5th: Irving, ILB, NC State - all he does is make plays.
6th: Cecil Shorts, WR, Mount Union - don't know much about him, but he's making draft buzz and we always seem to try to get a WR late (not that it's worked but that doesn't mean we don't stop trying)
7th: Delone Carter, RB, Syracuse - if we let Jerome Harrison go, then we need a 3rd RB. Mr. Carter doesn't go down on first contact and has played well despite sometimes horrific OL play. He could be a steal in this draft.

Sorry I'm not up with current offensive coordinator free agents....

Here’s my take. Other re-signings/releases are made but I listed some of the key ones. Tried to be a bit realistic with the signings or I could’ve made us Super Bowl favorites overnight

- Fire Eric Mangini and hire Jon Gruden. Gruden coaches Holmgren's kind of system, has Cleveland ties and is probably chomping at the bit to get back into coaching. He can do whatever he wants with the coordinators but he might just keep Ryan around to keep the 3-4 in place since his thing is offense.

- Cut Jake Delhomme. I can think of several better ways to spend his contract.

- Re-sign D’Qwell Jackson. Yes he’s hurt but there’s nothing wrong with bringing a solid player in on a 1-year “prove it” deal. He’s damaged goods to the rest of the league so this gives him another chance to prove himself and gives us a cheap rental or even another look at a guy we may decide we want to keep.

- Sign Vincent Jackson. If we’re going to be going to rookie QBs, a safety net receiver is a must. While Jackson isn’t a big play threat, he’s a great, reliable target who is almost definitely going to hit the free agent market if he isn’t traded and should easily be bought with a big contract offer. He has character concerns to be sure, but very few #1's don’t.

- Sign David Harris. If the Jets can’t afford to keep him, I’d be glad to snag him. He’s been a force for them in recent years and with the uncertainty involving D’Qwell’s health, it’ll be good to have a leader in our linebacker corps.

- Sign Lito Sheppard. Nothing flashy, but Haden steps into the starting lineup, forcing Brown to safety and forcing us to look for a nickel corner. Sheppard hasn’t been what he was with Philly and Heckert did trade him in 2009, but he fits what we’d need. A veteran corner who won’t complain about being a nickel back at this point. If there were more rounds in this draft, I could always just draft another DB and put Adams at nickel but such is the system.

2011 NFL Draft

1. Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford - When you don’t have a franchise QB and get a chance to grab one, you do it without hesitation. I think Luck is the real deal and he could easily declare if Harbaugh is offered a better job (which I can’t imagine he won’t be after turning Stanford around). We have a good enough offensive line to keep him up and with enough weapons, he can thrive in short order.

2. Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State – Heyward has a 2nd round grade from a lot of analysts because of his inconsistency and while that may be the case, he has a very high ceiling with the skillset to fit in at 3-4 end. For a team with a ton of aging defensive ends, it’ll be nice having some high potential youth at the position.

3. Cliff Matthews, OLB, South Carolina – Projects as more of a 3-4 OLB than a 4-3 DE, Matthews has high upside and good explosiveness which we desperately need given our lack of talented rushers.

Depth Chart:

Offense (24)

QB - Luck / Wallace / McCoy
FB - Vickers
RB - Hardesty / Hillis / Davis
WR - Jackson / Massaquoi / Robiskie / Cribbs / Stuckey / Mitchell
TE - Watson / Moore / Royal
T – Thomas / Pashos / St. Clair
G – Steinbach / Lauvao / Womack
C – Mack / Vallos

Defense (24)

DE – Heyward /Coleman / Smith / Schaefering
DT – Rubin / Rogers
OLB – Matthews / Roth / Benard / Gocong / Trusnik
ILB – Harris / Jackson / Fujita / Bowens / Costanzo
CB – Wright / Haden / Sheppard / Adams
S – Ward / Brown / Asante / Sorensen

Special Teams (3)

K – Dawson
P – Zastudil
LS – Pontbriand

I'm keeping the staff...

I'm not up on draft picks yet but I'm sticking with the QBs we have.. if McCoy looks good in practice toward the end of the season I might even get rid of Jake and make McCoy the backup going into next year.. I'm using my first two draft picks on a edge pass rusher and a wide receiver, not sure of the order but those are my first two picks because we desperately need a playmaker at both of those spots and they can contribute almost immediately. My third pick is to shore up the right side of the OL.... or, if I can trade up I might go after a stud tight end if one is available if I can move back into the second round.. I like Moore and Watson but if I can get a rookie here, I might have to go for it.

In free agency, so as not to break the bank, I'm going after a veteran WR and a veteran ILB but only if it represents a clear upgrade to what we have... I'm talking to DQ about resigning Ùut only at a much reduced rate with an incentive laden contract so that IF he gets back to where he is leading the team in tackles and being discussed for pro bowls he can make his money but if he doesn't play, it's not killing me.

What about Haskell?

I'm really surprised that we have an "advisor" on staff who, let's face it, really isn't doing anything right now, and also has experience running a m-WCO (that's for you, Toad, wherever you are), and nobody has brought up his name yet.

First off, if we continue to lose, at some point I would put Colt McCoy in to see what he has got.

1. I keep Mangini and his defensive staff. The whole offensive staff is gone. I would try to bring in a guy like the Bears did with Mike Martz. A proven offensive mind that can teach a young QB how to play in the league.

2. We don't have much to trade and I wouldn't want to give up draft picks so no trades.

3. I'd try and sign Jacoby Jones as our #1 receiver, he has the talent to be a #1 but will never get that spot with the Texans.

4. If McCoy shows something overwhelmingly positive I would take the JaredCrick from Nebraska. Most likely I would take Andrew Luck. If he stays in school I would take Ponder or Foles at QB. Hopefully one of the UCLA defensive guys (Akeem Ayers or Rahim Moore would drop to the 2nd round and would take one of them. In the 3rd round I'd take the best offensive linemen available.

In a nutshell and in this order...

QB, burners at receiver (DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin types), more youth on the defensive line, more speed at linebacker and a safety to replace Elam.

I don't care how it's done, just get it done.

I keep the staff...maybe even Dabol....I'll wait a few more games to determine that....we are still trying to determine some positions and have had some qb issues. I think we have finally found our back in Hillis...if we don't start feeding him the ball on a regular basis, then sure, dump Dabol next week. Hillis is the type of guy who needs to gain momentum and wear the other team down with his constant bruising runs. Hillis also inspires his team mates....while they might be standing around they see him pushing 2-3 guys another 2-3 yards....it makes them work a little harder the next play.....it's almost like a slap in the face...I missed my block but this guy is going to gain some yards, I better do more on the next play so I don't look like a total sissy..

I haven't looked at the FA list but I look to sign the best WR out there.

In the draft, I select a QB....just not sure if it is Luck or Mallett at this point.

Then, I draft a ROT in round 2.

The key right now is we can't keep changing coaches. As YTBF and others said, we aren't that far away. The results aren't want we want at this point, but Sundays game tells me we have a pretty good team.

Like the ravens or not, that is a pretty good football team, especially on the defensive side of the ball, and we smashed them in the mouth....we did. We showed some guts.


I think Cincy will come to town next week and get mauled by a angry, PO'ed Browns team.

We may get beat this year, but we are the team who is going to beat up other teams.

I do not understand the passion for this Coaching staff ?????

Frankly, I don't understand the distain for this coaching staff.

If you look at really, really bad teams that wind up finally becoming good teams, they start doing one or 2 things well. They start becoming a capable running team .... or they shut down the run .... they shut down passing game ..... etc.
This team now, after a decade of doing nothing well, seems like it is on the verge of becoming a very strong, physical, and capable running team ..... and like it can play overall defense well. They are a few pieces away from becoming an extremely good defense IMHO.

Same thing on offense. They can run the ball. Now they need to develop the passing game. I don't know if that will, or frankly can happen this year. I do know that it's a lot closer than last year. Now we have a RB who is an excellent pass catcher .... 2 very capable TE ....... and a bunch of WRs who can fight it out for the #2 and 3 spots. We have capable QBs. WE have a really good OL. Regardless, we can run the ball. That's what we do well. We took a chance that the receivers we had last year will develop ..... and maybe they will .... but they haven't yet. At least they haven't to #1 standards. The offense is a couple of players away from being a very good offense.

We have excellent special teams .... and our return game would be even better if we would let Cribbs get back to doing what he does best, and having him "spot" on offense and Wildcat ..... but not be a full time player there.

So .... if a team is starting to do some things very well ..... when they have done NOTHING well for a long, long time ..... and certainly not from year to year .... then there is hope that a program is building. That program is built by the coaches.

The coaches have started us building a team that is starting to do some things really well. It's not an overnight process. However, I guarantee that if we stay on this track, and have a good draft next year, we'll be one of those "OMG! Where did they come from???" teams that seem to pop up every season.

Or we could start another rebuild ..... and who knows?

Well, assuming we're the worst team in football (since you said we're #1 overall), here's what I'd do.

QB: Re-sign Wallace and either cut Delhomme or keep him based on his play in 2010. If he was cut, then I'd need to take McCoy's progress into consideration. If he is progressing well, then draft a QB late or pick up whomever to be our 3rd QB, or fight for backup. If McCoy isn't progressing well, I'd have to consider taking a QB early.

RB: I'd consider taking a late round RB, but the core of Hardesty, Davis, Hillis, and Vickers are good enough. Thank Harrison for his time and let him go to FA (and I was a big pimper of him during that year's draft, I just think we're ok with the other guys)

WR: I'd let Stuckey go in FA. Assuming none of these guys have extended, I'd bring in Sydney Rice, Santonio Holmes, and/or Steve Smith. I'd consider taking a WR early in the draft.

TE: Cut Royal. Bring in Owen Daniel (assuming he hasn't extended) and don't let him leave without a contract. If Owen leaves, focus on the draft for TE.

OL: Bring in at least one or two guys to consider for RT. I'm too lazy to look at all of them, but a mid tier RT to upgrade over what we have. I'd also consider spending a 2nd-4th on a RT.

PK/P: Do nothing unless Zastudil is done for good.

DL: The site has Roth as DL - so re-sign him. Let Robaire Smith go in FA. I'd look to the draft to replace him.

LB: I'm torn here - not sure to re-sign DQ or Gocong, would depend on their seasons in 2010. I'd bring in at least one of David Harris, Manny Lawson, Stewart Bradley, Kiwanuka, and maybe another. Obviously we wouldn't sign them all. I'd take a hard look at a pass rush specialist in the draft.

DB: I'd re-sign Wright. From a safety perspective, it'd totally depend on the 2010 season.

A few FA changes there to increase talent, though I'd have the cap (assuming there is one) in consideration. My main 3 focuses of FA would be WR, RT, and pass rusher. I'd like to come out of FA with 1-2 premier guys and 1-2 second tier guys.

For the draft,

Scenario 1: Assume that we re-sign Wallace, and McCoy has shown promise. We sign a 2nd tier RT and one of the guys I mentioned for LB. Its hard to project exactly where people will land in the draft projections, so here's a stab:
Round 1: AJ Green, WR Georgia
Round 2: DJ Williams, TE, Arkansas
Round 3: Marcus Gilbert, RT, Florida

I'm not an SEC pimp, just worked out that way.

Scenario 2: Assume that we re-sign Wallace, and McCoy has not shown promise. We sign one of the WRs and LBs I mentioned. Its hard to project exactly where people will land in the draft projections, so here's a stab:
Round 1: Andrew Luck, QB Stanford
Round 2: Terrance Tolliver, WR, LSU
Round 3: Marcus Gilbert, RT, Florida

There are certainly other scenarios where I'd have defense in the first 3 rounds, but based on what I would do in FA, and a couple assumptions, these are what I came up with this far in advance of FA and draft...

Regarding the coaching staff, if we do worse than last year in record and end up with #1 overall, I'd have to consider firing Mangini. Daboll is gone regardless. I'd like to keep Ryan. If I fire Mangini, I think Gil Haskell would have to be the obvious choice as HC since he's a Holmgren guy and knows the team, though the usual suspects (Cowher & Gruden) would be considered as well as Harbaugh (Stanford version) and Mike Zimmer (though, he's a 4-3 guy and am not sure that'd be a good fit with Ryan and the current players).

I'll play along

(2) Trades:
-Shawn Rogers to San Diego for the 3rd round pick they received from Seattle for Charlie Whitehurst (let's assume it is the 15th pick of the 3rd round)
-Eric Wright (this year before trade deadline) for New England's 4th round choice
(3) Free agents:
-Ellis Hobbs (CB)
-Lamarr Woodley (OLB)
-Desmond Bishop (ILB)
-Santonio Holmes (WR)
(4) Draft:
-I'm assuming I can't trade down from my top pick
#1: AJ Green (WR) Georgia
#2: Rahim Moore (S) UCLA
#3a: Justin Boren (OG) OSU
#3b: Cedric Thornton (DE) Southern Arkansas

If the draft were held today....I would have to think Luck would be the #1 pick.

Your assuming that Luck will be there when we pick.

We play the Bills another team who is still looking for a franchise QB.

Also the Panthers could also go after a QB if they are not sold on Jimmy Clausen. We play them too.

These two games could win or lose our chance at drafting Luck.

I don't think Cameron Heyward will make it out of the 1st round.
It's not going to be a deep position in the 2011 draft.
And finding a 3-4 DE is always at a premium in most drafts.

Jr* Marcell Dareus would be a good fit for our 3-4 and If I wasn't exactly high on another QB other than Luck.
I would hope to have the opportunity to draft this kid with our 1st round pick.

I have never been one who is in favor of moving S Brown to Safety, because for one, he is our best corner right now.
I think what we need to do is maybe be more flexible than right or left corner.
Then we can use S Brown to match up with their # 1's.

I would like to see us bring in another veteran SS to up grade that position.

Cliff Matthews is another player on my radar, but there is always a risk in taking a DE and turning him into a LB.

Along with another Matthews (Casey) youngest Son of old '57'.

He plays ILB for Oregon and is a team Captain this year.
TJ. Ward is probable going to be pimp'en his former team mate.
Casey needs to add about 10 pounds as do some of the top rated ILBers..... like
Greg Jones and
Quan Sturdivant.
Donta Hightower does not.
@ 6'4" and 260 lbs he is a beast and might be a top 10 pick, but is still a Jr*.

Casey is not going to be the QB killer his older brother is and probable not as high a draft pick, but he has the same instincts to play the LB position.

I would like to draft a RT prospect with maybe our 2nd round pick.

I think Gabe Carimi if available could make a good RT and could even slide to LT if needed, then we would have 2 Milwaukee's best @ OT. Jr* might [wish] push him down in the draft.

Speaking of
*Blake DeChristopher, is a natural RT and a good one too @ 6'5" and 320 lbs.
He could be the strongest OT in the next years draft.

Then I would go after another proven veteran receiver in free agency or threw a trade with San Diego for Jackson.
If we pick a WR in the 1st round (if we could not draft our QB), we would maybe have the talent there, but still not much better off at first.
I think we need a proven player @ WR.
Now if we do draft a WR in the 1st round, I hope it's Jonathan Baldwin and not A.J. Green.
Baldwin is in the mold of a Vincent Jackson.
Austin Pettis would make for a nice,..... dare I say 2nd round pick @ WR.
We have to get it right eventually
He might also be able to re leave Cribbs from some punt return duties.

That's next year.

The 1st thing I would be trying to do, is trying to find a veteran WR.

Is Engram still available?

Many here are quick to blame Daboll, but what about the WR's position Coach???

Side Question: Do you like Locker over Mallett? I'd be interested in hearing your take on that. Locker isn't getting much love anywhere (not just these boards) these days.

Quote:

---

-Eric Wright (this year before trade deadline) for New England's 4th round choice

---

If we traded Eric Wright I'd be disappointed. If we traded Eric Wright for a 4th round pick I'd be upset.

Keep most of the staff intact

Fire Daboll

Re-sign- Vickers, Roth, Smith, Gocong, Wright

Trade- Harrison

Let Jackson walk in free agency

Bring in a threat at receiver- Steve Smith(NYG), Sidney Rice

Bring in a starter at safety that can cover.

add d-line youth and depth early and often in the draft

draft or pick up a RT in free agency

Bring in David Harris, the Jet's have ALOT of people to sign this off-season and I believe Rex will be arrogant enough to think he can replace him.


Most importantly we need to hit big in this years draft starting with a promising quarterback. For me it's Luck in the first round (because after all we could most certainly use some Luck to finally turn this thing around) or Christian Ponder in the second round (assuming he is there), the guy reminds me of Steve Young so much it's not even funny

I think Daboll is the worst OC in the game today. Mangini has a good philosophy but no leadership skills. Both would be gone asap.

I watch Rob Ryan and I see guys that would run into an inferno to pull his butt out of the fire. He has natural leadership ability. he gets a promotion and i begin working to get him players to fit his D and not these slow linebackers trying to blitz with no blitz ability. Get a real safety in here to allow Ward to be a box safety.

OC Holmgren has the right guy for the job with him right now. Start making the move to the WCO immediately and stop wasting time with whatever Daboll is trying to run.

All we have done is wasted another year with these guys that have no future. The lockout is the only reason Mangini and Daboll are still here.

Now Colt may or may not fit the Holmgren O but I think we have receivers that really will fit well in the WCO. My target for the O would be a RG as I would move Lauvao over to LG and Steiny becomes a salary casualty but 3rd good spot for a RT and 4th good spot for guard.

Draft Dontay Moch OLB for Nevada would be a great fit for Rob Ryan. I think this kid may be the best player int he draft reminds me of Dummervil.

S Ahmad Black from florida great ballhawking safety with good cover skills. small but great instinct.

RT Gabe Carimi Wisconsin I think he ends up sliding on draft day and becomes a steal in the late 2nd early 3rd.

RG Chris Stewart Notre Dame huge kid with tremendous power and a deceptive burst gettin gout to block. would be a great road grader at RG

Anyway gotta work the draft add some players move up and move down.

Good thread...ill give my take.

With the staff...I wouldnt remove Mangini. His plan to this point is taking effect, but hasnt had comparable talent. Daboll would be given a very very serious evaluation. Carl Smith is on our staff and has called plays before. If Daboll doesnt show that he has the capabilities. Carl Smith will be installed to keep continuity, but with hopes of better play calling. Rob Ryan will also be evaluated. Our zone defense schemes have been awful, and yet we continue to stick with them. With our LBs we should be in man coverage and our best cover LBs (guys like Trusnik, DQ, and Fujita) in on passing downs and in coverage.

as for free agency since it comes before the draft.

at QB: With Seneca Wallace's contract being up I would give him the offer of a modest 2 year contract. If he wants more than I am willing to give (about 5.5 mil over 2 years) then thats okay, because Tyler Thigpen, Kellen Clemens, and Brodie Croyle are all acceptable QBs that have been starters but would be better suited to be my backup. Jake would remain because of his veteran leadership. and Colt McCoy would be given EVERY opportunity to start. I think that the year in our system would give him what he need to fit into our offense. We're looking for a QB with moxie and the ability to win games, and Colt McCoy won more games than any QB in NCAA history. He's also led a number of game winning 4thQ/OT drives as well as setting a number of texas records.
A depth chart entering the draft and season of
1. Colt McCoy
2. Jake Delhomme
3. Seneca Wallace, Tyler Thigpen, Kellen Clemens (rather him as the 2 but eh), Brodie Croyle

for RBs:

Jerome Harrison gets re-signed to a very modest contract and is also given the chance to negotiate with other teams for a sign and trade. Otherwise he is retained to a 3 year contract worth about 9 million. If he balks, thats fine and we go another direction. But a sign and trade would be the best option. The 2nd best would be him playing with the Browns going forward. The last would be him not signing and leaving for nothing.
Hillis gets a contract extension, Hardesty and Davis stay.

the depth chart would be:
1. Hillis
2. Hardesty
3. Harrison/Davis
4. Davis/Harrison

FB: Vickers stays of course.

WRs: With a couple of WRs that can play the slot in Stuckey (who will be a free agent, but we could easily re-sign him before FA starts for a modest price...approx 2 mil a year) and Cribbs...Massaquoi could be the number 2 with no problem at all. we need a #1. Randy Moss (at 5.5mil), Mike Sims-Walker (at 3.5 per year), or Donald Driver (at 6.5 per year), would be decent pickups as #1s that could not break the bank, but provide us with a talented 4 WR group. If we decide that Massaquoi can be a #1...Breaston, Naanee, or James Jones could be signed as #2. Robiskie is put on notice.

TEs: We are pretty okay. I would look to replace Royal and Smith with a guy like Dante Rosario, Anthony Fasano, Desmond Clark, Matt Spaeth to replace them.

OL: St. Clair would be gone. I would take a hard look at Tyson Clabo from ATL if he hits the market to fill in our RT spot as he is the starter for a VERY solid ATL OL. I would not hesitate to pay him $7 mil a year for 5 years to man that spot. The rest of the line would be retained and a Guard would be drafted to push Eric Steinbach for playing time. If Clabo could not be attained in free agency, I would look to the draft for our next RT.


DL: here is where the draft would come in heavy, but again FA comes first so...

DE: I dont see much that really makes me salivate here in free agency. Shaun Ellis i fear would cost more money than he is worth. He is good as a 5 technique DE as they said...and that would help as Robaire and our other DE (Rogers, Coleman, who is it?) need to be replaced. Johnny Jolly and Cullen Jenkins have both been successful in GB and its hard to see them letting both go if either. If either hit the market. I would go hard. Jenkins is the better pass rusher of the two, but being stout at the point of attack is the real plan here. They both get that done. Robaire is also a free agent but i would try to negotiate a new contract before free agency starts. he has been reliable and very good here (despite his gun bag issues)

DT: Rubin and Rogers would remain. But Rubin would be the full-time player and a later round pick would be my hope to be his backup. Maybe Danso? maybe Travis Ivey? thatd be grand.

LB: Heres a group of need. Matt Roth is a free agent but he should be retained (at a price of around 4-5 million per season, no more. Benard should be retained, Fujita should be retained, Trusnik should be retained. Everyone else should be on notice. there is a group of players that would be worth grabbing.
Gocong should be re-signed.
Shawne Merriman. I would look hard at him. He will be looking to redeem himself and SD is not the place. If given a contract similar to Joey Porter's in Miami...with a lower base salary, and higher incentives (mainly playing time...if he is active in 14 games he gets much more money...if he plays more than 45% of the defensive snaps he gets more money...and if his sack total is high...more money). 2 years...6.5 million with incentives could reach 11...
Barrett Ruud, Ben Leber, Stephen Tulloch, Derrick Johnson, Ernie Sims, Stewart Bradley. These are all guys i would look into signing. 2 at the most. preferably only 1.

Id say David Harris but i see him getting Tagged.

DB: Wright is a free agent and should be re-signed.
Richard Marshall, Tramon Williams, Brandon Carr, Stanford Routt...1 of those should get signed...I would like for one of them to push our guys for playing time. Routt seems as the guy who would be most likely to come. The rest all would have aspirations of being a starter or a malcontent.
Elam is a free agent and should be re-signed.
Tom Zbikowski, Dawan Landry, Chinedum Ndukwe, and Atari Bigby would all be offered over 5 mil a season to come start in Cleveland. Landry and Bigby would be offered over 6 mil.


Of the list...I would hope to sign in order of importance:

Tyson Clabo (4 yr/28mil)
Atari Bigby/Dawan Landry (3 yr/16mil, or 4 yr/21.5mil)
Donal Driver (3yr/18.1mil)
Stanford Routt (3 yr/6.6 mil, or 4 yr/8.8 mil)
Cullen Jenkins (4 yr/15 mil)
Johnny Jolly (4 yr/15mil)
Shawne Merriman (2years...6.5 mil, could go up to 11)
Stephen Tulloch (3yr/9mil)
Matt Spaeth (3yr/7mil) or Rosario
Seneca Wallace/Kellen Clemens/Tyler Thigpen/Brodie Croyle (2yrs with team option for 3rd year)


Then on to the draft:

1st round:

My draft board looks somewhat like this:
1. Adrian Clayborn...282 LB DE that plays very well and smart v. the pass AND run...could use a little more weight...but he can play at 290 in our system
2. Julio Jones/AJ Green...theyre both 6'4 and talented...I cant pick who i like more
3. Cameron Heyward...local product, great DE game...great 3-4 fit...hmmm
4. Jeremy Beal...pass rush specialist. also has the speed to play the OLB spot with talent.
5. DeMarcus Love...RT of the future
6. Allen Bailey...another legit DE prospect from THE U
7. Marvin Austin...at a hair over 300, could be a solid DE in a different mold from the others...bigger and stouter.
8. Ras-I Dowling...would be a great compliment to TJ, but ony if we were to trade down.
9. Bruce Carter...would be a great linebacker...inside or outside.
10. Stephen Paea...at 310, he could play inside or outside...hopefully a starter on the outside.

Round 2a:

1. Von Miller - if available
2. Mike Pouncey...would be a great value and could push Steinbach for starts
3. Gabe Carimi...a tackle from the very very good Wisconsin OL...RT
4. Quan Sturdivant...though only 230, is a great playmaker and could pair in our inside with Fujita to have a very solid inside
5. Jerrell Powe...he weighs 320...this would allow us to move Rogers outside full time and Powe would give Rubin enough rest to stay fresh in the 4th Q...plus the 2-4-5 nickel would be SOLID
6. Christian Ballard...at 298 he would be a solid DE and a day 1 starter. Him and Clayborn together again? oooh.
7. Marcus Cannon...at 358, as a RT he'd never get bull rushed...he runs a 5.38, so hes quick enough to handle his edge, and man can he get a push with that frame...he'd fit mangini's power blocking scheme perfect.
8. Kelvin Sheppard...solid ILB from LSU, could start almost immediately.

2b:

1. Deunta Williams...very solid safety for UNC. could be a good partner for Ward
2. Orlando Franklin...the U, solid Guard that could push Steinbach
3. Dontay Moch...a lightning quick ILB...id love to have him here. or early 3rd
4. Kenrick Ellis...340 DT...good value to be a backup to Rubin
5. Sione Fua. 307lbs, would be a DE for us. could start, or be a rotational player than year 2 starts.
6. Lee Ziemba...a starter on a very physical Auburn OL...would be great value here, he has size and would be very solid as a RT


3a:
1. Jermale Hines...could be a backup to Elam for a time until hes ready to take over at FS
2. Nate Irving...inspirational and talented...this kid is good...would maybe be a better pick in the late 2nd if he keeps playing the way he has been
3. Justin Boren...another Ohio St.er, but a good guard on a good line.
4. Phil Taylor...big 340lb DT...see earlier 340lb DT
5. Greg Romeus...if he drops this far due to his injury...he should be taken. Could be a Seymour type, or with a lil more speed, a Demarcus Ware
6. Tejay Johnson...not getting enough credit on a good TCU D

3B:
1. James Rogers...see Dexter McCluster...if he was available here, and he may be because of size, you have to try it. Late 3rd, hes too talented.


my dream draft through 3 rounds would look like this if we didnt sign Clabo:

1. Cameron Heyward DE
2a. Gabe Carimi OT (Joe Thomas's replacement at Wisconsin, and his bookend in Cleveland...perfect)
2b. Christian Ballard DE
3a. Nate Irving ILB
3b. James Rogers RB/WR/Playmaker extraordinaire

If we did I would replace Carimi with Pouncey, and Pouncey would be immediately available to beat out Steinbach for the LG spot.


So my additions would be my above draftees and:


Tyson Clabo
Atari Bigby/Dawan Landry
Stanford Routt
Donald Driver...if not him James Jones
Cullen Jenkins
Johnny Jolly
Shawne Merriman
Matt Spaeth



Providing we can sign a guy like Driver or Jones...I think that in one year, I could have covered a large number of bases.

Pass Rusher, WR, and 1 LB spot would still be in need to replacement but it would be a very good start.

How would YOU fix this team?

If the Browns woulda used any of my mock drafts the team woulda been fixed years ago...

Aside from the coaching staff..this team needs a lot of things..I don't deal with trades..and I don't listen to trade ideas..these are all fantasy whims that posters go overboard with..I usually stick to the drafts..
But on offense this team needs a QB/WR/RT in the worst way.
There's where I'm going ..
This is the most disgusting set of WR's I can remember in a long time.,and that has to be fixed.
RT..dang ,I'm been screaming for one for about 3 years now..well actually even when Tucker was here..
No..won't go int he QB..just get the best one available..

2-We need speed on the Dline and at LB..I didn't say go small,I said we need players with speed.
And ones who have a resume for getting to the QB...
We need a DE who is a beast and can generate pressure on the QB..

Oh ..and I have to geta FS with instincts..Elame is utterly clueless in coverage..he looks more of a rookie than Ward does..

I am not an Elam fan either -- he is politcs, the worst kind of football player. I'd move Ward over there and let him suffer the baptism of fire. He should become the next Ed Reed if he can stay healthy. That he and Haden don't play all of the time together is disturbing to me. They should be back there for the next ten years. They were picked high and paid the money,...put them out there.

Can't argue we need a LB. We've passed on some good ones.

While (I think,...) we might disagree on "where" to take that RT, I have been adamant about drafting good, high round, OLinemen on this board forever. The Jets have 4 of 5 first rounders on their OLine. And with a young, still learning, 2d year QB, they MOVE the football. As a result, I think we could get better play from our WR's and QB by fixing the line. Doesn't mean we don't NEED a good #1 at present. I just don't want to see another Edwards.

I am definitely with you on the draft and "whimsical" trades.

While (I think,...) we might disagree on "where" to take that RT


There's no argument,yet..it's only the 3rd week of college ball and the NFL..way to early to know where players will be slotted..
Now for me the BIGGEST..I SAY ..THE BIGGEST improvement would be.. get a freaking experienced OC!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I know I'm a defensive minded person..but I want to see a coordinator know how to scheme a opponent..

Quote:

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Draft Dontay Moch OLB for Nevada would be a great fit for Rob Ryan. I think this kid may be the best player int he draft reminds me of Dummervil.

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Mourg, I turned the Nevada/Cal game on late but Moch looked totally lost in the second half. Really slow to react and recognize the play, just not making an impact. Obviously his stats say that doesn't tell the whole story, as I really like players who rack up TFLs, but you say best in the draft? That's saying a lot.