DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Steinbach just signed with us

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I think what DnD is saying is that Savage showed restraint in NOT trying to outbid SF for Clements,,

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Thank You...

At least SOMEONE'S flippin' AWAKE...

Vers get your head outta your ass...

Well, your welcome,,,,,, I think

DnD,,, call me crazy, but did I just see you use an example of 14 divided by 2 equals 2? was that a typo?????

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did I just see you use an example of 14 divided by 2 equals 2?

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[censored]...I'm tired,,,Up at 3...lol...

Gosh damn I'm REALLY gonna confuse Toad now...

Toad???...That IS 14 divided by 7 bub...Equals TWO I think...

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I think, not sure, but I think what DnD is saying is that Savage showed restraint in NOT trying to outbid SF for Clements,,,, And frankly, that's a good thing on many levels, 1 being that he's not worth that kinda jack,,, and 2, it's a cap killer contract that will strap a team for years... that's just stupid in my eyes.. But hey,, that's just me,

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I agree w/both of you that it would have been stupid to pay him that much. I'm just not sure how much discipline he showed. I guess I better explain. Say Savage would have paid him $70 million. I don't know that he would have, but it was reported that the Browns wanted Clements. Would that have been a display of discipline?

I'm not knocking Savage. All I'm saying is that I'm glad the 49ers were stupid enough to go that high. Daman, I think these contracts are out of hand.

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As for DnD's other point about Dielman and not wanting to tie up 100 mill on the Oline,, well, all I can say is, perhaps it's time for a little overkill,, We have been deprived of a line for so long, maybe it's time we overspend and get something that ends this discussion for the next 5+ years...

(for the record, I don't like spending that kinda money on one unit either, but it may be necessary until we actually draft guys as good as those we can get in FA)

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I'm not saying you guys are wrong for thinking that way. But, I feel that signing high-priced OL free agents will force us not to draft OL. And that, my friend, would be a mistake.

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I'm not saying you guys are wrong for thinking that way. But, I feel that signing high-priced OL free agents will force us not to draft OL. And that, my friend, would be a mistake.

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That is my biggest fear too Bub... Icould handle not going OG in 2/3 with your scenerio but I could not STOMACH us passing on Joe Thomas at #3...

IF Phil does the right thing and takes Thomas at #3, I would be all about us waiting to start drafting OG's until 2008/09... With so many holes, shoring up our O-Line for a few years until we could afford to start drafting the depth would be the way to go... Would allow us to shift our concentration to the D-Line for the rest of this draft and for 08...

great day in cleveland. i like the signing alot. this could be the start of something special once again for the browns. bentley is definately the key to making this a kickass line, but we shall see how that ends up.
if savage says that he will address the line with 3 guys that will help immediately, we have one more FA to sign for the line. i don't see us going OL 1 and 2 in the draft, because it's doubtful you'll get a starter in the 3rd. what i do see is at least drafting a sears or blaylock in rd 2 though. even if we pass on thomas, this would be a VERY respectable line.
the $ looks outrageous for a guard, but this is exactly what i expected as soon as they raised the cap. when the cap goes up, so does player $. cost of living you know, so they can feed their family.

j/c

lincoln

Sticking to pickup line

After Bentley dejection, Browns try luck again with signing of ex-Bengals guard Steinbach Saturday,

March 03, 2007
Mary Kay Cabot
Plain Dealer Reporter

Former Bengals guard Eric Steinbach was so impressed with the Browns on Friday that he canceled his visit to Tampa Bay and signed a seven-year free-agent deal with the Browns worth $49.5 million, including $17 million in guaranteed money.

"Obviously I'm excited," Steinbach, 26, said Friday night after having dinner downtown with the Browns coaching staff. "This is my first visit and I kind of had a gut feeling. As soon as I sat down and talked to the coaches and the personnel people up in the front office, I knew this was the right place for me."

Steinbach, a fifth-year pro, passed up a chance to start at left tackle for the Buccaneers, who were on his schedule for today. Instead, he'll be introduced as a Brown during an 11 a.m. news conference.


"I chose to come here first, I liked what I saw, I liked the feeling and obviously it was an easy decision," said Steinbach (6-6, 290). "We haven't talked yet about whether I'll play guard or tackle here, but I'm open to whatever ideas they have for me."

Steinbach said left guard is his natural position, but he's also played left tackle and center.

In 2005, he was named a first alternate to the Pro Bowl at left guard. Last off-season, the Browns signed left tackle Kevin Shaffer to a seven-year, $36.5 million free-agent deal, but there was some sentiment in the organization that he struggled at the position.

"I'm most comfortable at guard, but we'll see where I fit best," Steinbach said.

"We're very excited to have him," said coach Romeo Crennel. "We think he can really help us."

The Browns also hosted Texans free-agent outside linebacker Antwan Peek, who had not agreed to terms as of Friday night. Peek was coached by Browns defensive coordinator Todd Grantham in Houston.

"I love coach Grantham and he loves me," Peek said. "Hopefully we can get something worked out soon."

The Browns never got a chance to try to sway former Buffalo Bills cornerback Nate Clements, who signed a blockbuster deal with the 49ers. According to the NFL Network, Clements, the Shaker Heights native, received an eight-year deal worth $80 million, including $22 million in guaranteed money.

Instead, the Browns will turn their attention to former Eagles cornerback Rod Hood, a four-year veteran who has played mostly nickel back but has starting potential. Hood's agent, George Mavrikes, said Friday that Hood will visit with the Browns early this morning. Hood (5-11, 196) was originally signed as a rookie free agent out of Auburn in 2003. The Cardinals have a visit with Hood scheduled for Sunday.

The Browns also will host former Bengals reserve defensive tackle Shaun Smith today. A restricted free agent, it marks his first visit. The Bengals can match a Browns offer, but Cleveland would not have to compensate Cincinnati with a draft pick because Smith (6-2, 325) was undrafted out of South Carolina.


Steinbach's signing marks the second straight year the Browns landed the top free-agent offensive lineman, including center LeCharles Bentley last year. The Bengals' second-round pick (33rd overall) out of Iowa in 2003, Steinbach was passed over in the draft by then-Browns coach Butch Davis, who opted for center Jeff Faine.

"I'm very excited to be part of turning things around here," said Steinbach, who toiled under former Browns offensive line coach Kirk Ferentz at Iowa. "It's just kind of funny that I'll be moving a few miles down the road in the same state and lining up against my former teammates twice a year for the next few years."

Fraley's deal:

Center Hank Fraley's deal with the Browns was for four years and $9 million, including a signing bonus of between $2.5 million and $3 million.

Coleman visits:

Cowboys free-agent defensive end Kenyon Coleman visited with the Browns on Friday and had dinner with them downtown. Coleman, originally a fifth-round pick of the Raiders in 2002 out of UCLA, started five games for the Cowboys in 2005. Last season, he had 31 tackles and four sacks.

Plain Dealer reporter Tony Grossi contributed to this report.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

mcabot@plaind.com, 216-999-4670

The Browns hooked Steinbach Friday on the first day of free agency when he agreed to a seven-year contract worth $49 million. More than a third of it - $17 million - is guaranteed. Steinbach will get $10 million in a signing bonus, $6 million in a roster bonus next year and $1 million in a roster bonus in 2009.


Jeff Schudel, JSchudel@News-Herald.com

Come again Toad...

This years hit won't be even 4M...2008 tho can be in the 8-9 range then right back down again in 2009...

Bet this goes 2.5M this year in Base...1M next and 2.5 in 2009 to reach that 23M...

Former Bengals guard Eric Steinbach was so impressed with the Browns on Friday that he canceled his visit to Tampa Bay and signed a seven-year free-agent deal with the Browns

who says nobody would want to come to cleveland?

There are very few -300 lb LT's in the league,Stienbach will not be one of them.He's a guard,a left guard to be exact.I have watched the Bengals,Steelers,and Seahawks with envy,because I could see what a good coach can do with a good LG.Now we have one.
There is a reason why those teams ran good screens,and it has more to do with the guards than any frilly undie wearing QB.
No one is talking about Sowells.He has to fit into the equation somewhere.He is,afterall,the GM's first o-line draft pick.
I am thrilled with this signing.But it doesn't entirely fix the problem.We still need a LT and a RG.As luck would have it,there will be a LT available when we pick.In my mind,the only reason the Browns don't select him,would be a trade down.And some team better make us an offer we can't refuse,Don Vito.

VERS...Actually ALL the Negative homers...lol

You're a chicken [censored].

Yeah, I said it and I already admitted it.

Too bad you guys never mention all the times I have been right and you were wrong.

Don't be such a freaking hypocrite. You wanna throw stones...fine........but be man enough to own up when it goes the other way, which is more often than not!

I was WRONG on Nat The Kat...THERE...

Couldn't see the physical problems with u know who you're referring to...

Quit being so dense.

Teams like the Eagles, Bengals, Chiefs, etc draft offensive linemen year in and year out. The young guys learn behind the vets. When the vets reach a point in their career where they can earn big money in FA, the team has a capable player ready to replace him.......and they don't have to spend an insane amount of money to keep him.

WTF is so hard to understand about that?

Remember you're talking to a guy who doesn't think drafting linemen high is sound..

Still two more pages to read but btw-Gallery was the Left Tackle at Iowa and the major reason Steinbach played LG and not LT - It was mentioned he would have but because there was Gallery he did not. Coming out in the draft it was noted that he had the skill set to play LT. But never did play in college.

JMHO

Signing Clements at those kinda bucks woulda been a HUGE mistake...I believe we can AND SHOULD kiss goodbye any signing of a Top 5 Corner in the league from now on...Clements just reset the bar that Bailey set in 04...That's flippin' CRAZY $$$...

Your BEST Corners will now come from the Draft...


Oh really? And who told U that first???
Didn't I tell you that and U said no way is Opie gonna take a corner in this draft??
Hmmmm U guys should listen to me a lille bit more

I pimp Joe Thomas for the simple reason he would be the best player that could help my Browns...pure and simple.

Please show me one post where I claim "woe is me" if we do not take Thomas.

I have time n time again claimed that we will get a very good talent with our pick. Do not mistake pimping for a draft pick (That is not allowed now ) for stating that Savage is a fool if he does not take my guy or else! No where have I stated that!

If others have do not link that statement with me

3 things...

1. YAY!...welcome Eric!...

2. i agree that you cannot build long-term via FA, VERS, but as a GM with only a few years to show improvement before you're canned, if you address a horrible OL ONLY through the draft, by the time your (smart) long-term plan pans out, you'll be long-gone...i.e. in a situation where you're so far behind, you have to catch up before you can move ahead...you pay out the butt for a bit while you're growing your own, then you stop paying out the butt...now, we'll see what happens...i could be very wrong going forward...as you said, if this is a precursor to ignoring the line in the draft, DIAM's potential nickname for Savage will become a lot more prevalent in my posts...

3. my feeling is that Savage's youngish FA LT will get another year at his position...bad decision?...maybe so...but rarely do you see GMs signing/drafting guys and giving up on them after 1 year...Savage has done it (Shelton, Druzzi), but 1 b/c it was a 1 yr deal and he wanted too much $$ to re-up (IIRC), 1 due to injury/age...will he do it purely on a performance basis with the $$ a non-factor?...therefore, i could see us trading down if Thomas is available, as DinD said...

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Didn't I tell you that and U said no way is Opie gonna take a corner in this draft??

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Half Truth...Half Truth...

I SAID...We won't take a Corner in the draft IF we signed Clements...

Big Big Difference...U left that slightly important tid bit out...lol

j/c

We may not want to spend 100m on guards....but I won't be too suprpised if it happens. The brass in Cleveland MUST be feeling the pressure of winning NOW. Romeo I'm sure does. He's on the street if the team fails this year.
If they've finally figured out that the OL has been a MAJOR cause of our problems for this entire century, then while in panic mode, who knows what they'll do.

You guys bitch like 10 year old girls.

Whaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You never admit when you are wrong!!!!

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


We just signed an outstanding freakin' player. Can't you freakin' people be happy about it instead of bitching about who was right and who was wrong?

Who gives a [censored]?!

Yeah, I am the one who brought it up.

general reply

our left side just got a whole hell of a lot better. The weakest position on the OL just became our best position on the line. This should allow us to now start working on the right side. This should also put us in position to slowly begin drafting OL where we dont have the immediate needs that force us to sign FAs. I do expect us to draft a tackle this year and a mid level guard.

on clements. the kid wanted to come home but damn who would pass up 80 freaking mil lol even if it means living in san fran.

General reply:

Can anyone photoshop something about Steinbach being a Brown so I can rub it in Bengals' fans faces? Like a pic of him in his Bengals jersey with it saying "he's a Brown now" or something obnoxious like that? Be creative.

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Divide 14 by 2 Toad...That's 2M...

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::scratches head::



Must be that 'New' Math they have in public schools these days

jc...

I really agree with Vers on the point that I hope this doesn't mean Phil will shy away from OL in the draft.

When you're in a position like we way...bad OL, tons of money to spend in FA, you have to go out and get some of these top rated guys, and I agree with that approach whole-heartedly. Last year, Bentley and Shaeffer...this year Steinbach, maybe more. It seems like the right thing to do.

Now if that means Phil doesn't go OL again until Day 2, I think that would be a mistake. If he wants to pass on J.Thomas, ok, but I hope he still goes guard in Round 2. If he takes J.Thomas, ok, then maybe let's do something different in Round 2.

We need guys that are waiting in the wings all the time. That's a recipe for success. That's what all the good teams do and why they're always still good when they lose players of this caliber.

Ideally, I'd like to see one OL in the first three rounds every year.

Press conference should be now.

Call me stupid, but I can't find a link to the press conference at clevelandbrowns.com ANYWHERE.

Just what are you bringing to the thread other than making fun of people?

Very brave........hiding behind your screen and insulting people's manhood.

Try www.wtam.com ... might be on there, they're the flagship station.

I can't barely even get ClevelandBrowns.com to load... it's slow as hell today

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Say Savage would have paid him $70 million. I don't know that he would have, but it was reported that the Browns wanted Clements. Would that have been a display of discipline?

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no, in fact I think it would have shown very poor judgement had he done that,,,,but he didn't so I don't see a reason to speculate about it,, doesn't serve a purpose...

I don't know what the Browns final offer was to Clements,, in fact, I doubt we ever find out, but I'd be disappointed if it was north of 50 Million for 7 years..

I am having a hard time believing that SF was that darn stupid... I mean, I think Nate is a pretty darn good corner,,, But like I have been saying, get him if you can, but not at the expense of limiting our ability to address other team needs.. and yes, these contracts are totallly out of hand. It's nuts out there. Kinda reminds me of the fever one fills bidding on items on Ebay...

(I have a little experience with Ebay, I'm trying to rebuild a 92 300ZX and I found most everything I need there... it's a bidding frenzy for some parts)

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I'm not saying you guys are wrong for thinking that way. But, I feel that signing high-priced OL free agents will force us not to draft OL. And that, my friend, would be a mistake.

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Vers, I think I left you with the wrong impression.. I would not want us to pay big bucks to a FA if what it meant was that we didn't draft right.

The Browns, like all teams have to take linemen almost every year... That's just to keep up with all the turnover you can have between losing guys in FA, or Injuries, or retirements or mental problems or what have you... there has to be a guys in waiting.. has to be.. if you want to contend year after year,, you gotta do it that way.

For the Record,, What I hope happens this year in The Draft:

I want Joe Thomas,,, reasons.. 1. For once, I'm actually convinced he's the real deal. 2. He answers a need, 3. Having him allows us to fill another gaping hole I truly believe we are going to have at RT..(I"m worried about Tucker and I don't see anyone else out there) So we can move Shaffer over to RT where I get the feeling he belongs... worse case, if Thomas isn't the answer or needs more time to develop, we move him to RT and keep Shaffer at LT,, ( for a while anyway)

And in thinking about it, I know I've said that if we sign Dielman, then we can pass on a Guard in the second,,, well, in retrospect, I hope we don't pass on a guard,,

By the way, if I'm right about these moves and if it turns out that Tucker can play,, think about him as a RG...

All of a sudden:

Thomas, Stienbach, Fraley, Tucker, Shaffer

With possible back ups all over the place,, Shaffer gets injured,, how much of a drop off is there if Tucker has to take over at RT.... Thomas hurts his arm, are we at the end of our rope if Stienbach or Shaffer have to relieve him for a game or two,,, With Andruzzi and Sowells and perhaps that second round guy I mentioned,,, how much trouble are we in on the line if a guard goes down all of a sudden.. pretty much,, no problem at all...

Man,, we are set for years if we do it that way,,,, But hey, it's only my opinion,,, But I like it...