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I actually mostly agree w/ Grossi here. I'd like to politely ask that this not turn into another huge Vickers debate. I think it has its own thread and we should all just wait and see what happens . . . I'm still flip-flopping on the hierarcy of team needs. Also flip-flopping between focussing on the team as a whole and putting more emphasis on what is most beneficial to the protection and development of McCoy. My GOODNESS can people, Grossi included, give up on putting so much on Cribbs's plate? Let's try to make him free safety as well as a running back while we're at it.  I don't see HOW they don't take a strong look at bolstering the WR position in some shape or form.
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I strongly agree here and hope that our players are currently helping these guys out to give us an edge at signing them
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8. Be aggressive in signing undrafted free agents.
About 500 rookies not drafted are on the market, waiting to be signed to fill out camp rosters. The Browns should concentrate on the following positions when signing undrafted free agents -- cornerback, linebacker, defensive line, offensive line, running back and quarterback.
Not that there is anything wrong with concentrating on those particular positions, but at the same time, I wouldn't want them to pass on an excellent prospect who plays a position not deemed a severe need either.
I've always held that talent is where you find it. Josh Cribbs is the perfect example.
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well, he named every position except TE, WR and S.
I'm guessing that is what he meant. Just grab the best guys available (and maybe he actually looked at the list and thought it was light at the above 3 spots).
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well, he named every position except TE, WR and S.
I'm guessing that is what he meant. Just grab the best guys available (and maybe he actually looked at the list and thought it was light at the above 3 spots).
I"m sure thats what he meant,,, Just saying, don't pass on a guy thats solid just because he doesn't play a position of immediate need....
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Also, given the extra time to sign undrafted rookies, our front office should have uncovered a few hidden gems. And they should have a better understanding of who the best players undrafted guys are.
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2. Sign a defensive end in free agency.
Even if Mitchell is re-signed and joins rookie Jabaal Sheard at the position, another defensive end is mandatory. Yes, Marcus Benard will be tried as a full-time end. But an experienced, 4-3 starting end must be added -- perhaps Jason Babin, who has played for Mike Holmgren in Seattle and Heckert in Philadelphia among his five NFL stops.
Imo this needs to be our top priority even a head of attempting to resign our FA.
Jason Babin is coming off his finest year as a pro and it translated into a pro-bowl selection.
At 6'2" and 260 lbs he fits the size and speed that Dick will be looking for in a RDE, but he is already 31 years old.
I would really like to see us go after a younger player first, before possibly settling on Babin.
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I think it's more or less everything we need. Not sure about the importance of settling the right side of the O-Line ... but technically we could be playing anyone from Pashos, Yates, Womack, Pinkston, Lauvao ... who else is on our roster at this point?
Good read though - I buy most all of it.
I think the Pashos situation is an area of great delusion and of critical need. the guy has been injured the last three years. the guy was never mobile to begin with and struggled in pass blocking(sounding familiar).
we had THREE QBS IN A BOOT LAST YEAR.
You want to keep Colt healthy , get a guy who can actually block all the blitzers pouring in from the right side.
and we need a RB as well as we are whistling past the graveyard with hardesty.
Last edited by akronjoe; 07/08/11 07:59 AM.
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To be fair, the hits that hurt both Delhomme and Wallace came around Thomas, not anyone on the right side.
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To be fair, the hits that hurt both Delhomme and Wallace came around Thomas, not anyone on the right side.
There you go again, messing up a good story with facts 
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Right ... that's why I said I wasn't sure where the importance of settling the O-line should be. I would like potentially see another tackle added depending on the status of some of our FA's.
But as of now the only real players on the team to be counted on (not undrafted / camp bodies) are Thomas, Lauvao, Mack, Pinkston, Steiibach and Pashos ... Yates and Womack are UFA's. Steinbach is ours ... nut some have alluded to a trade possibility and I'd like to see where that goes.
But assuming we keep him that's still only 6 NFL caliber linemen that we have on our roster for sure.
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Heckert really had high praise for Mitchell, so I think he will most likely be offered a contract by us, but he is still considered somewhat of a specialist.
http://www.profootballweekly.com/2011/07/08/mutual-interest-between-browns-de-mitchell
Mutual interest between Browns, DE Mitchell
Posted July 08, 2011 @ 2:37 p.m. ET
By Mike Wilkening
Browns DE Jayme Mitchell is open to re-signing with Cleveland, he told PFW Thursday. Mitchell, who is slated to be an unrestricted free agent, said his agent, Lamont Smith, spoke with the club before the lockout, and there is mutual interest between both sides.
Dwaine Board, the Browns' new DL coach, has told Mitchell he will have a chance to compete to start at left defensive end should he re-sign, Mitchell said.
Mitchell, 27, said that re-signing with Cleveland would be "a preference" but getting an opportunity to start would be paramount in his free-agency search. Mitchell, who is entering his sixth NFL season, has appeared in 29 games, all as a reserve.
"I want to get somewhere I can start," he said.
The Browns acquired Mitchell in October, but he did not appear in a single game. The 6-6, 285-pound Mitchell, who had played in the Vikings' 4-3 scheme since 2006, said he had requested a trade from Minnesota in the 2010 offseason seeking more playing time after sensing he wasn't going to get it playing for head coach Brad Childress. However, Mitchell, who played in two games for Minnesota in 2010, recording one sack, was "shocked" to be traded to Cleveland, which employed a 3-4 scheme last season.
Mitchell told PFW he believes his inactivity in Cleveland was tied to his technique. He said that once he became better versed in the Browns' defense, he asked then-head coach Eric Mangini and then-DL coach Bryan Cox why he wasn't playing. The answers he received, Mitchell said, sounded like "a bunch of bs," but he also noted that the explanations could have been rooted in how the Browns employed their defensive scheme.
Mitchell likely would have a better chance at earning a regular role with the Browns this season with Cleveland going back to the 4-3 and general manager Tom Heckert publicly saying re-signing Mitchell is a "top priority." With a frustrating 2010 season in the rearview mirror and free agency set to start once the league year begins, Mitchell has an eye on the future.
"I'm very excited about it," Mitchell said of the potential of playing more in 2011, whether in Cleveland or elsewhere. "I can't wait until the lockout gets past."
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...... he asked then-head coach Eric Mangini and then-DL coach Bryan Cox why he wasn't playing. The answers he received, Mitchell said, sounded like "a bunch of bs," but he also noted that the explanations could have been rooted in how the Browns employed their defensive scheme.
whewww.. we all wondered why he was traded here, but kind of figured at some point we would be going back to the 4-3 defense... I think Heckert knew Gini' was getting the ax even then..
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whewww.. we all wondered why he was traded here, but kind of figured at some point we would be going back to the 4-3 defense... I think Heckert knew Gini' was getting the ax even then..
Well not giving players Heckert brought in threw a trade a shot, probably didn't help Mangini's cause any.
It sounds like Mitchell will most likely be resigned. I can't wait to see what he can do. He could turn out to be a steal for a late round draft pick for us.
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Even if not a "steal" I love the idea that a Vet with some production can help the younger DLine was brought in for a late round pick.
Not exactly a bad thing considering who knows what you'll be able to find production wise on day 3 of the draft ..
"Believe deep down in your heart that you're destined to do great things."
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http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/07/10/browns-to-plan-to-add-a-running-back/Browns plan to add a running back Posted by Gregg Rosenthal July 10, 2011, 9:12 AM EDT Help is coming for Peyton Hillis. The former fullback isn’t likely to put up the kind of numbers that get you on the cover of Madden this year because Montario Hardesty is coming back from injury to share carries. And just in case Hardesty can’t get healthy, the Browns want more insurance. Terry Pluto of the Cleveland Plain-Dealer hears the Browns want to add a running back via free agency. They won’t spend big money, but want a runner that has experience and can be a decent backup. Signing a back makes a lot of sense, and not just because Florio listed it No. 2 on his Browns checklist. The strongest, most stable part of the Browns team is the offensive line. With a deep group of backs and control of the line of scrimmage, the Browns’ run game should be able to keep games close while their new passing attack and 4-3 defense figures things out.
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well, if he wants to start for a NFL team, then he better be able to win the job here. if he can't win a starting job for a team transitioning from the 3-4 to the 4-3 w/ no offseason, then he's not going to be starting for any other team either.
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Wow ... not that I WANT to get ahead of myself ... but just thinking with some of these articles that we could have made this DLine a bit better by the time camp and the season is here.
We had Rubin - drafted Taylor and Sheard - might resign Robaire and Jayme - still have potential with Bernard - no idea what we have with Ivey and still have potential with Titus Adams, Titus Brown and Brian Schaefering ... and who knows if we can still go after a guy like Ray Edwards?
Not a guarantee that we will be stacked or anything ... but when this offseason is settled we might be heading in the right direction from the DLine perspective ... could have our starters in place and just want to keep adding depth and rotational players.
"Believe deep down in your heart that you're destined to do great things."
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even if we don't get someone in the Edwards/Charles Johnson class of DE. if we could get someone in the next tier of guys at DE and FS, we should be solid.
i'm more worried about LB right now because I don't trust any of our guys except Fujita.
Last edited by no_logo_required; 07/11/11 03:40 PM.
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Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
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Who is "FS"?
whoops. that was supposed to be on the line above about how we need a next tier DE and FS. i'll fix it.
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Ah, that makes sense then.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
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We may put the kid we just drafted, with the 4.2 speed, back there. Best free safeties have great range and great instincts. He has the speed so range is covered.
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We may put the kid we just drafted, with the 4.2 speed, back there. Best free safeties have great range and great instincts. He has the speed so range is covered.
I know you are not talking about Skrine at safety?
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He played corner and he is a burner. At 5-10 186 lbs, he would need to add another 5 to 10 lbs probably but hey why not. If he shows some instinct and some ball skills, it would be a way for him to earn his way onto the field.
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He played corner and he is a burner. At 5-10 186 lbs, he would need to add another 5 to 10 lbs probably but hey why not. If he shows some instinct and some ball skills, it would be a way for him to earn his way onto the field.
I would hate for Skrine to be the last man against a guy like Mendenhal, Benson, or Rice... 
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Not me.....lost in his speed figures is he is a good tackler.
Not the big hitter....just as last year i had to keep telling people Joe Haden was a great pick and they will love how he tackles people.
Skrine wraps up much like Joe Haden does.
It isn't a out of the question move.
Fast guy, good hands, sure tackler....what's wrong with that???
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read somewhere that Womack wnted to return to the Browns.
That will take care of the "swing man". Re-sign Yates too.
We have a short off season. Priority should be to bring back as many of our own free agents as possible. this is most important with the OL.
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ha.. r u serious dude?
1 on 1, head to head, Skrine loses that battle just about every time.. A RB going full speed w/ a nasty stiff arm.. it's a wrap for Skrine...
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Help is coming for Peyton Hillis.
The former fullback isn’t likely to put up the kind of numbers that get you on the cover of Madden this year because Montario Hardesty is coming back from injury to share carries. And just in case Hardesty can’t get healthy, the Browns want more insurance.
Terry Pluto of the Cleveland Plain-Dealer hears the Browns want to add a running back via free agency. They won’t spend big money, but want a runner that has experience and can be a decent backup.
I think that we need to have an eye out for a RB, but 1st I think that we need to think about signing Hillis and Thomas to long term contracts. We could bring in a UDFA RB. I don't see this as such I high priority as some here might.
Hillis is still the horse that will get us going.
I think that he will help ease Hardesty's return and he won't have to shoulder the load and they can compliment one another. I would not expect us to sign a Reggie Bush or other big name RB.
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There is nothing more annoying than someone arguing the hypothetical. Skrine vs. Rice one on one in the open field ranks right up there with two geeks arguing Batman vs. Spiderman.
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There is nothing more annoying than someone arguing the hypothetical. Skrine vs. Rice one on one in the open field ranks right up there with two geeks arguing Batman vs. Spiderman.
Whatever. Im not arguing. But to put skrine at safety is stupid. And he would get killed. Sidenote: could care less what's annoying to u.
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Ask Heckert if he is serious....isn't he the one who said something like that? It's been a long time since we had a rangy free safety. And really, how often during a season do you find your FS the only thing between the ball and the goal line?? And one other thing....I am really more concerned with how the FS does in the passing game. Does he provide coverage help where it's needed? Does he make a nice read of the QB and does he have the speed to play a sideline to sideline game? If we find Buster between Ray Rice and the goal line in the open field, I'd say there are 10 other problems to think about as well. Now, that said, all I said is i don't think it out of the question. I am not advocating such a move, so calm down. 
If everybody had like minds, we would never learn. GM Strong
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There is nothing more annoying than someone arguing the hypothetical. Skrine vs. Rice one on one in the open field ranks right up there with two geeks arguing Batman vs. Spiderman.
Totally solid point.
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There is nothing more annoying than someone arguing the hypothetical. Skrine vs. Rice one on one in the open field ranks right up there with two geeks arguing Batman vs. Spiderman.
Totally solid point.
I agree, and why I was annoyed. 
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There is nothing more annoying than someone arguing the hypothetical. Skrine vs. Rice one on one in the open field ranks right up there with two geeks arguing Batman vs. Spiderman.
HAHAHA. And the winner of that argument ... is still a geek.
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at the end of the day.. Skrine will not be put at safety..
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ha.. r u serious dude?
1 on 1, head to head, Skrine loses that battle just about every time.. A RB going full speed w/ a nasty stiff arm.. it's a wrap for Skrine...
Well wait, 1 on 1 with about any CB any good RB going full speed is going to win that battle..
I have no idea if Peen is right about Skrine, but most CB's aren't going to do well face to face with a Payton Hillis for example..
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And really, how often during a season do you find your FS the only thing between the ball and the goal line??
How many tackles did our FS TJ Ward have last year?
Plenty and most were not around the line of scrimmage.
But you are correct if your FS leads your team in tackles, then I think you have some major holes in front of him.
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at the end of the day.. Skrine will not be put at safety..
Right!
If he is then it will mean he can't handle the CB position that he was drafted for.
Regardless of our situation at Safety, CB is still a higher valued position and we could use as many as we can find.
Haden, Brown and who ???
Best case scenario for us would be if buster can push Brown for a starting CB position at some point in the near future.
I would rather we find a true Safety in FA.
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Re-sign Yates too.
he would be at the top of my list of the free agent guys we need to retain.
#gmstrong
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