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I kind of ran through this elsewhere, but I thought that this deserved some discussion, especially given the way some people continue to deride Lombardi in particular. Let's look at the moves made by the front office to bring in major contributors for this team. Paul Kruger: Paul Kruger has really been a huge part of the defense. Not only does he help with the pass rush, but he sets the edge really well in the run defense. (and Sheard actually has also done a great job f this on the other side) He has not only pressured the QB, but he has helped open things up for other players to get to the QB. Quality addition. Desmond Bryant: Huge addition thus far. 3.5 sacks in just 3 games, as a DE in a 3-4 defense. Stellar play from Bryant thus far. Spencer Lanning: He's dona a solid job punting, threw that TD pass on the fake FG, and kicked a vital extra point against he Vikings that gave us a 4 point lead late. Barkevious Mingo: 2 games, 2 sacks. Nice start. Man he looks explosive and dangerous to opposing QBs. Brian Hoyer: Even is he doesn't wind up being the starter, he has show that he can be an effective backup and spot starter if nothing else. Very solid pickup. Davone Bess: 17 catches in 3 games. He has helped both QBs so much just by being available on almost every play he's in the game. Excellent pick up. Quentin Groves: Got hurt, but has a sack, and has been a physical force on special teams. Former starter who is capable of stepping in if necessary. Hopefully he'll be back soon. These 7 players were all brought in this year, and have contributed thus far. Some have contributed in a major way. I think that all have long term roles on this team, and are valuable players. We have other guys like Gary Barnidge and Chris Owens who have contributed to a less amount. Owens was better against the Vikings than he was in either of the 1st 2 games. Barnidge has been helpful as a blocker. The team has also brought in some players I think are intriguing, like Josh Aubry, Bobby Rainey, and Marqueis Gray. All have very good physical ability, and could be useful players as soon as the 2nd half of this season. (or sooner for Rainey) I think that the combination of Banner and Lombardi, along with input from Farmer and the head coach, is definitely off to a solid start. I like the trade of Richardson for a 1st round pick. In today's NFL, that is almost robbery at gunpoint. Add in the trade of 2 picks in this year's weaker draft for 2 picks in what looks to be a much stronger and deeper draft next year and their start looks even better. I am definitely encouraged thus far. I honestly don't know why people insist on continuing to blast these guys. Maybe they didn't address each and every single need the Browns had, but sometimes players just want to go elsewhere no matter what a front office does. I know that was the case for Keenan Lewis, who wanted to go home to play for New Orleans no matter what anyone offered. We had a couple of free agent misses, Davis the TE didn't make the team out of training camp, nor did Nelson .... but they don't stick with mistakes just to save face. I am encouraged by that as well. I think that we take a HUGE step forward next year, with several more impact free agent signings, and almost certainly a new QB. We'll have draft picks to address a lot of positions, so I expect great things over the course of the next year.We added 7 major contributors this year. I suspect that we'll have a similar haul next year. I can't wait! 
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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Ytown, I agree with your perspective. Just hope that some of the musings being spouted around the NFL don't come true. I would hate to see someone's ego cause this team to purge it of the limited talent that was acquired by the previous regimes.
And the next head coach is ......
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I am torn on moving either Little or Gordon.
Little can be a useful piece, in the right role. He showed that last year. He has been one of the hardest working guys on the whole team, and has gone so far above and beyond what they coaches ask that it''s ridiculous. I would love to see that hard work pay off for him.
Gordon excites me ..... and scares the hell out of me. He is a unique talent. He does everything so well, and makes it all look so damn easy. However he is also one screwup away from being suspended for at least a year. His track record with regard to drugs is abysmal over the past couple of years. In order for him to be in phase 2 of the drug program, he had to have failed a drug test while he's been in the NFL, He didn't take part in the combine prior to being drafted, so he couldn't have failed a test there. His talent is undeniable. He is a spectacular player, who should put the fear of God into any defense he plays. He could be a top 3 or 4 WR if he works at it, and stays clean. It's that staying clean part that just scares the hell out of me. I would hate to give up on a special talent ..... but I would also hate to get stuck with him and anotehr positive drug test.
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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Quote:
I am torn on moving either Little or Gordon.
Little can be a useful piece, in the right role. He showed that last year. He has been one of the hardest working guys on the whole team, and has gone so far above and beyond what they coaches ask that it''s ridiculous. I would love to see that hard work pay off for him.
Gordon excites me ..... and scares the hell out of me. He is a unique talent. He does everything so well, and makes it all look so damn easy. However he is also one screwup away from being suspended for at least a year. His track record with regard to drugs is abysmal over the past couple of years. In order for him to be in phase 2 of the drug program, he had to have failed a drug test while he's been in the NFL, He didn't take part in the combine prior to being drafted, so he couldn't have failed a test there. His talent is undeniable. He is a spectacular player, who should put the fear of God into any defense he plays. He could be a top 3 or 4 WR if he works at it, and stays clean. It's that staying clean part that just scares the hell out of me. I would hate to give up on a special talent ..... but I would also hate to get stuck with him and anotehr positive drug test.
Gordon is the most difficult decision our front office has had to make in a while. Like you said, he has superstar ability but he's also one more drug test away from being gone for a year and destroying whatever value he has. On one hand, I want someone to bowl us over with an offer so good that we can't say no and remove the worry from the equation. On the other, it's hard as hell to find a WR as special as Gordon could be and I'd hate to see him go. What are the odds that we can find another guy like him even if we get a 1st rounder back for him? Can he stay out of trouble though? I think he knows that he has 2 strikes against him but I wonder whether he has enough restraint to avoid getting busted again... argh.
We're... we're good?
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Having Gordon on the field last week no doubtedly made a difference in the offense last week against Minni. In fact, having him on the field makes Little better as it draws coverage away from him. I know that he is a sniff away from being banned from the league. Knowing what Gordon can do, I want him to stay on this team and not become a second round draft pick in the 2014 draft. Because, he has already produced at this level and you never know what you're going to get from a potential player.
Overall (I was not a Lombardi fan -- and will gladly eat crow because I frowned when he came to the Browns) but Banner and Lombardi have done a fine job. Hopefully, Mcgahee can follow in the same path of the others that Banbardi has set.
I just hope they hit those home runs in next years draft as that will be their telling tale.
Last edited by FargoFan; 09/26/13 03:24 PM.
And the next head coach is ......
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When this translates into wins, then I'll be impressed. I'm done with having blind faith that this new regime will be the one to make us winner. When they prove they can make the Browns a winner, I will trust them, until then I will remain skeptical.
It's supposed to be hard! If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great!
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Quote:
Gordon excites me ..... and scares the hell out of me. He is a unique talent. He does everything so well, and makes it all look so damn easy. However he is also one screwup away from being suspended for at least a year. His track record with regard to drugs is abysmal over the past couple of years. In order for him to be in phase 2 of the drug program, he had to have failed a drug test while he's been in the NFL, He didn't take part in the combine prior to being drafted, so he couldn't have failed a test there. His talent is undeniable. He is a spectacular player, who should put the fear of God into any defense he plays. He could be a top 3 or 4 WR if he works at it, and stays clean. It's that staying clean part that just scares the hell out of me. I would hate to give up on a special talent ..... but I would also hate to get stuck with him and anotehr positive drug test.
I thought we can't be afraid of failure? 
It's supposed to be hard! If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great!
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Quote:
Quote:
Gordon excites me ..... and scares the hell out of me. He is a unique talent. He does everything so well, and makes it all look so damn easy. However he is also one screwup away from being suspended for at least a year. His track record with regard to drugs is abysmal over the past couple of years. In order for him to be in phase 2 of the drug program, he had to have failed a drug test while he's been in the NFL, He didn't take part in the combine prior to being drafted, so he couldn't have failed a test there. His talent is undeniable. He is a spectacular player, who should put the fear of God into any defense he plays. He could be a top 3 or 4 WR if he works at it, and stays clean. It's that staying clean part that just scares the hell out of me. I would hate to give up on a special talent ..... but I would also hate to get stuck with him and anotehr positive drug test.
I thought we can't be afraid of failure?
Touche. 
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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When this translates into wins, then I'll be impressed. I'm done with having blind faith that this new regime will be the one to make us winner. When they prove they can make the Browns a winner, I will trust them, until then I will remain skeptical.
Amen, +1, and pass the potatoes.... but, I don't trust them.
Browns is the Browns
... there goes Joe Thomas, the best there ever was in this game.
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Let us not forget Horton, who is a huge addition.
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After being excited by so many regimes I'm in show me mode. Well see how it looks at years end. That said I really hope Chud can stick around; I think he's a good example of what a Browns coach should be 
#gmstrong
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My thoughts and feelings....
Lets go right to the blockbuster...Onions. Moving TRich took stones. In a week it seems as though it's paid off. For both parties...and that's the best. It not only helped us, but it helped the team it went to, that opens up future negotiations with other teams. To know we aren't just out to fleece teams. It's get rid of what doesn't fit here and help do right by guys. I'm in on this move. I think McGahee and a 1st is better than TRich. I don't think we make this move if McGahee wasn't an available commodity. And that is smarts.
Little...if he is gone. I'm kinda good with that. He has worked hard, but he hasn't quite shown the maturity to succeed. He just hasn't effectively learned the wideout position yet. His concentration isn't strong. He needs to do more of that drill I saw Cincy doing in Hard Knocks...where he has two guys slapping at him and he has to make the catch. More and then do more, and then do more. In addition, his off the field issues are a trend...not isolated incidents. It will in time get him in trouble. Get it together.
Gordon...the trend thing worries me, but the explanation of this and the NFL reducing the suspension brings me hope. His issues have been different than they were in college. His issues change, which to me shows hope. He can get away as he learns more what he cant do. Plus he has greater talent. This team now has a very good #1...don't let that go away, work with it. We need a legit #2...Little hasn't shown that, and though he too needs to be worked with, I don't see the upside to Little. I don't wanna give up on him cuz of his off field issues, but they exacerbate what I don't like about the way he plays. Same mistakes off the field and same on...trend.
Coaching Staff...GREAT decisions. Period.
Hoyer being on the roster...dare I say great idea? idk yet...but early returns are good. Hopefully he pans out.
"It has to start somewhere
It has to start somehow
What better place than here?
What better time than now?"
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I don't think we make this move if McGahee wasn't an available commodity.
Really? I think they pull the trigger no matter who is available as a free agent.
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This FO feels completely different to every false dawn we've had but after being bitten so many times, i'm curbing my enthusiasm  I love their aggressive moves, and also the swagger they have when doing it. I think there is too much onus on Lombardi from the fanbase. All i'm seeing is a dude with input for everyone to consider, much like the other guys. All roads lead to this being Banners' show but given Lombardi's history I can see why the negativity but I just don't see him pulling the strings here. Its decisions via committee with Banner final say I think.
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I'm sorry but I just cant subscribe to this mentality. We had 3 playmakers. 3 players that actually made the defenses be concerned of. You trade the best playmaker we had for a late 1st round pick (20-25ish). Add in that we gave up 4 picks to get him, I think its gonna be a horrible and tragic decision. Ultimately it is too early because we have to wait to see what is done with the pick.
The continued rumors of trading Gordon is disturbing and setting a bad trend. Since Banner has joined us he has done everything to discredit Heckert and the players he brought in. Even tried to say that Gordon counts for his regime not Heckerts since it would of been his pick.
Trading away all our playmakers for picks is not the path we should be on. This team is close... real close. We only need solid QB play and add maybe 2-3 more pieces. Now add a RB to that list. He set this team back hoping to tank the season. Im proud of Ched for saying tohellwiththat we gonna win anyways and gonna do everything we can cuz this team not willing to tank a season.
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I'm sorry but I just cant subscribe to this mentality.
That's cool man.
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You trade the best playmaker we had for a late 1st round pick (20-25ish).
In fairness, TRich being the best playmaker is not a home run statement. The value of poor RB's with a terribad running average is not good. Its a first round pick which is good already, the value of it is to be determined.
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Add in that we gave up 4 picks to get him
I think this is irrelevant. Who cares what we gave up when his production was average? This is the kind've statement that gives Jamarcus Russell and Ryan Leaf and ...um...every 1sr rnd pick of the Browns with the exception of JT and Mingo more time than they deserved. What was given up for TRich should have no bearing on what was to be done. It just highlights a mistake from the previous regime.
The rumours are just rumours really. I guess everyone has a price and the balance between greatness and oblivion for Gordon is on a razors edge right now. I for one can see both sides but if the trade happens, just remember that shiny Ferrari you kept may not be much fun if you can't drive it for a year
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He had 16 rushing tds last year and almost broke 1000 yards while playing with broken rib. I wish I could say "enuff said" but I'm going to continue cuz well its me and dawgtalkers finally back.
Defenses were focused and game planned against him, not Weeden. He provided a threat and pretty much everyone thinks he is a young talented rb that is one of the toughest to bring down in the league, great character, team leader, and didnt last past the 5th pick in their fantasy drafts. I look forward to seeing what he can do in Indy with a threat at QB.
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This will go round in circles. 16 rushing TD's though?
I think he'll go ok in Indianapolis, but I also think we can get similar production out of the position on what he was giving us. Just a damned shame that Lewis went down man.
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Right now, I think OB is the better back and he is our FB.
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Well if a first round offer comes in for OB Mor, i'm down with it
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my bad 11 +1 receiving.and let me add 51 receptions
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Actually Richardson had concerns about his character (Missing treatments, being a loner listening to his headphones all the time) that may have factored into the trade. Scott Fujita mentions this citing a browns player as a source...Maybe he was the source  I was screaming to put in Hardesty last season and don't think that much of T Rich. I think he'd make a pretty good 3rd down back, his talent shined far more as a receiving threat than as a runner so far. I'm hoping as scouting advances they'll be able to figure out whether the issues T Rich has shown in vision will be findable before the draft. This was a concern going into his career that the holes at Alabama were gigantic. I don't know if vision can be learned, I hope for his sake it can be.
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Quote:
I am torn on moving either Little or Gordon.
Little can be a useful piece, in the right role. He showed that last year. He has been one of the hardest working guys on the whole team, and has gone so far above and beyond what they coaches ask that it''s ridiculous. I would love to see that hard work pay off for him.
Gordon excites me ..... and scares the hell out of me. He is a unique talent. He does everything so well, and makes it all look so damn easy. However he is lso one screwup away from being suspended for at least a year. His track record with regard to drugs is abysmal over the past couple of years. In order for him to be in phase 2 of the drug program, he had to have failed a drug test while he's been in the NFL, He didn't take part in the combine prior to being drafted, so he couldn't have failed a test there. His talent is undeniable. He is a spectacular player, who should put the fear of God into any defense he plays. He could be a top 3 or 4 WR if he works at it, and stays clean. It's that staying clean part that just scares the hell out of me. I would hate to give up on a special talent ..... but I would also hate to get stuck with him and anotehr positive drug test.
No doubt on Gordon. What concerns me is him during any downtime.
The Bye Week........where do most players go? The off season.........where do most players go?
99.99% go home. It'll be back home where he'll be most tempted. The toughest thing for anyone in his shoes to do is to say "no thanks" to their lifelong buddies/pals/rappies. etc. Here's hoping either he or the Browns foot the bill to relocate mom/sis/whoever, etc here as opposed to him going "THERE".
Tough to say no. Real tough. For anyone.
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For anyone worried about Gordon being suspended for a year I found some comfort in facts. NFL suspensions wiki Compare the number of players with 4 game suspensions to year long suspensions. Historically from what I can tell only two players have ever missed a season for drugs. Three if you count sticky ricky's retirement. The odds are incredibly heavily against Gordon missing a year.. I wouldn't worry about it, it almost never happens.
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Is there a timeframe for this year long threat? Will it still stand for example if he keeps his nose clean for 3 years and then transgresses 4 yrs from now or does the slate get wiped at some point?
#gmstrong
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Duration: A player will remain in Stage Two for twenty-four months or two full seasons, whichever is shorter, beginning from the later of either the date of entry into Stage Two; or after entering Stage Two, the date upon which a player fails to comply with the Treatment Plan or fails to cooperate with testing, treatment, evaluation or other requirements imposed on him by this Policy, both as determined by the Medical Director or has a Positive Test. Notwithstanding the foregoing, without any notice a player will be automatically and immediately advanced to Stage Three if while in Stage Two he has any of the following: (1) two Positive Tests; or (2) two instances in which he fails to cooperate with testing, treatment, evaluation or other requirements imposed on him by this Policy or to comply with his Treatment Plan; or (3) one Positive Test and one instance of a failure to comply with his Treatment Plan or cooperate with testing, treatment, evaluation or other requirements imposed on him by this Policy while in Stage Two. d. Completion of Stage Two: A player who completes Stage Two without being advanced to Stage Three will be afforded the same status as a player who had never by Behavior or a Positive Test been referred to the Intervention Stages. nfl drug policy A fun fact I didn't know. Gordon must fail 2 tests while under his current situation to be moved into Stage 3. Not the typically assumed 1 test. I am not sure if this is just to rule out false positives or what, but it helps
Last edited by Kingcob; 09/26/13 11:31 PM.
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Frankly I thought Hardesty hit the hole much more decisively than T Rich did. When I watched TR, I kept waiting.. all game for him to break out.. and waiting..
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The thing with Hardesty and Richardson is that Hardesty was a 1 cut guy. He hit the hole as designed, and exploded through it.
Richardson would badly miss holes.In some instances, He would be running towards a hole, then cut back into traffic for some reason. It's like he didn't know what was going on around him. I saw him be on track for a huge alley, with a blocker in front of him, and he left that lane for heavy traffic on the other side. I was shocked when I saw it on the DVR. At least twice in the Ravens game he left 10-20 yard runs on the field, because he cut back against the grain and into tackles. Those are the runs that get a back 100 yards in a game. They are also the runs that separate the great backs from the pretty good ones. Even if a guy doesn't have elite speed, he has to take those wide open runs, especially when there are only a couple of them in each game. Trent didn't.
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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Thanks for the info Kingcob.
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I liked these offseason moves too. Kruger, Bryant and Groves were on my FA wishlist I posted on here. That said, it wasnt exactly a hard thing to accomplish considering our needs and amounts of cap space available, but they got it done. Bess was by far the best value find in terms of cost/return.
To make your listing of their moves complete you also have to mention all the other moves (and non moves decisions) to make it fair, will we?
CB Owens
QB Campbell
TE Davis
WR Nelson
RB Lewis
TE Barnidge
Plethora of UDFA rookie cuts
Most of these guys were brought in for depth and spot starting. Not looking good and not providing a lot of quality depth. Our depth is horrible except for the front 7.
Decisions:
- CB McFadden, CB Owens, CB Skrine at CB2...so far has led to below AVG CB2 play and horrible depth
- Obi at FB...most stupid idea, even A.Smith at FB made more sense
- Cousins as 4th G....converting him to G just before the start of the season undermines the decision to Keep 7th round rook Gilkey on the roster....those 3 decisions were a big factor to our 0-2 start
- roll with Gipson at FS: he has played ok, but still at below AVG level. He lacks awareness/anticipation,but he's around the Ball, but only functions as a safety net,way off the action. A decent tackler for a FS. Overall a "meh" for me
- Roll with Cameron at TE: was very skeptical, but has been a huge boom and pleasant surprise
Overall they've made some good, some bad, some mediocre and some gutsy moves. A mixed bag so far. If they can turn their gutsy moves into value, that could get them over the bump, but so far they have not shown to me to be good evaluators of talent,as it doesnt take much evaluation skills to like Bryant and Kruger, the two biggest difference makers.
#gmstrong
"Players come along at different points in time" - Ray Farmer
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For all of the complaints about the CB position, we have allowed exactly 2 TD passes in 3 games.
Yeah, that surprised me too.
In the Dolphins game, Hartline got behind Skrine, and it looked like he was expecting Safety help over the top. If you watch the play, it looks like Owens was supposed to help over the top, and he was way late recognizing the play, and even later trying to get there. That was game 1. Players were still learning a new defense.
In the Ravens game we allowed a TD pass to Marlon Brown. (who?)
3 games, and that's it. I'm not going to complain about the CB position right now. Skrine actually did a nice job overall against the Vikings.
As far as 3rd string guys, or UDFA ..... if those are the biggest complaints ..... then I'd say they're doing pretty good. You put Lewis in that list, but he looked like he was going to be a big part of this team until he broke his leg. Those injuries happen .... unfortunately. We traded Acho to the Eagles for Lewis. Acho didn't fit here with the 3-4. He didn't make the Eagles, and he is now with the Giants.
Nelson was a flyer on a guy coming back from injury. Davis was competing for the 3rd string job. They didn't work out. No big deal there. Teams do bring in minor free agents who don't make their final rosters. It's not just us.
I look at your list of guys, and it kinda proves my point. If those are the biggest mistakes we make, we'll be doing pretty well. We added high value, high performance guys. We weren't able to add players everywhere, but no team ever can. We didn't stick with guys who weren't what we thought they could be. Good for the coaches and front office. They didn't retain guys just because they signed them as free agents. They tried to keep the best guys from what I see.
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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So you don't think RG, FB and CB2 were major reasons why we lost games 1 and 2?
I liked the Lewis trade too, my list was not made to trash the FO, just thought it should be completed with ALL their moves and non moves. You can't post a thread with their moves and then just leave out all those that are non factors on the field
You say it proves your point, I say they did some good, some meh and laid some eggs and if anything proves that what they inherited was pretty solid since all they did was add 2 starters. The negative on them is more about what they didn't do and please spare me the "canT fill every hole in one offseason" rhetoric. Yes you can when you still have 30mil of cap. A real FB for example would have not cost much....and for the money Campbell, Owens and Barnidge got, we could have signed a bonafide CB2 in his prime and still have 30mil of cap. They didn't, that was a decision. They tried to fill the S.Brown vacancy with a FA and a 3rd round pick but ultimately play last year's nickel-CB there now and every big play through the air this year had Skrine, who I like but who just isn't a starter, and Owens targeted
And I really don't care about the number of TDs through the air. What about Skrine's PI in the MIA game that set up the gimme TD? What set up the Ponder TD runs? CB is still a problem and we won't play a bottom tier QB like Ponder every week...and we still allowed 27 points...since we have such a great Front 7 that begs the question: Where's the problem? gotta be somewhere....
#gmstrong
"Players come along at different points in time" - Ray Farmer
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OK, we lost our 1st and 2nd string RG in training camp. How many teams can lose their 1st and 2nd string players and play unaffected? I bet that there aren't many. The Steelers lost their starting Center and they're a mess.
We allowed 2 passing TDs in games 1 and 2 combined. 2. That's it. The defense certainly hasn't been to blame for the 2 losses. One of those TD pases went to a 4th or 5th string WR. The CB haven't been to blame.
If the FB is the biggest reason we have as far as losing games, then we'll be pretty in good shape. Obi hasn't been a blow up the defense FB, but I don't think that's what the team is looking for. In 3 games he has 2 runs for 23 yards, and 7 catches for 64 yards. They want a guy who can pass protect, which Obi can do, and can catch the football out of the backfield. Those catches are what the team wants as much as anything else. He could have had more in the receiving side of things if Weeden would have taken just 2% off that throw to him in the Ravens game when Obi was wide open. Again, this is a new offense, and Obi is in a new role ... but I think that he'll be fine.
One thing I want to see is a heavy duty TE for blocking. I am hopeful that this 300# TE we claimed off waivers from the final cuts can be an effective blocker for us. Unfortunately, he is still somewhat green as a blocker. He is supposed to be a fluid athlete though.
You seem to look at ths team as if it was a 10-6 team that just needed a piece here or there, and the front office ignored those needs. This team was a 5-11 team that had holes, or at the very least, uncertainty, almost everywhere. They filled a lot of holes with what appear to be quality additions. We have never set the edge as well as we do with Sheard and Kruger since this team returned in 1999. That's an immediate turnaround, and an immediate payoff from the signings of Kruger and Bryant.
We have allowed 2 passing TDs in the 1st 3 games. Do I wish that we had a pair of tall, shurtdown corners? Of course. However, our corners have been far more effective than most would have thought so far. They are also getting healthy. Owens and McFadden missed a lot of time in the preseason, and Skrine has been hurt as well. They appear to be rounding into shape now. This week will be a huge test. We'll see how they do.
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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Banner did bring in some good players. My issue is with the needs that he completely ignored. I dont care for Owens. He's skrine's twin w/slower closing speed. I like Mingo, but he drafted a position in the 1st rd for the backup. We are not that talented to be drafting backups in the top 10.
The phil dawson and no kicker thing completely baffled me. Besides our 1st round pick, who has contributed from the draft? Who looks promising besides Mingo and Gilkey?
I do think he did well in FA. Kruger was expensive but Bryant was a definitely good find. All in all, he completely neglected fb,fs,cb,k, OL depth in the draft. I add CB because 3rd Mcfadden couldnt of been their target and grabbing owens late was for depth not starting quality.
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There's a big difference in signing proven FA talent, than drafting. Yes, it appears Mingo was an excellent pick.
But let's face it, they punted on much of this years draft. Now in saying that, I see the value in moving up in rounds with both of the picks they traded, but we have no idea of how they will be at drafting players to turn things around.
Let's face it, adding Kruger, Bryant and Bess isn't rocket science. All proven and productive players. You simply can't go out and spend 70 mil every year to build units on your football team. The salary cap won't allow for that.
As I've said before, they've put all of their eggs in one basket for the upcoming draft. And the draft is how you build a team. So what weapons exactly do we have in the draft room?
Banner - How much input did Banner have in Philly when it came to draft day? It seems nobody really knows this. So IMO, he's an unknown commodity when it comes to drafting.
Lombardi - His track record as an NFL GM in drafting simply SUCKS!
Norv - What input has he had as a HC or OC in terms of drafting players and how have those picks turned out? Once again, a huge unknown.
Chud - Since his highest position ever before was as OC, how much input has he had on drafting players? Again, an unknown.
Horton - Again an unknown.
I don't see how anyone can look at this and feel with any degree of certainty, that moving forward we are position to be confident in this group when it comes to drafting players.
That doesn't guarantee success or failure. What it does do is show that those who have questions about this moving forward have right to be concerned and not overly optimistic.
I've heard it said that free agency is an extention of the draft. Nothing could be further from the truth. With FA's, you have a body of work with seeing them in the NFL game. You see them AFTER the transition from the NCAA level.
Not so with draft picks. Far harder to gauge. This upcoming draft will tell a lot of the story. And the fact is, it's anybody's guess whether they'll succeed or fail in drafting overall talent. First round picks alone simply won't be enough.
Intoducing for The Cleveland Browns, Quarterback Deshawn "The Predator" Watson. He will also be the one to choose your next head coach.
#gmstrong
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We allowed 2 passing TDs in games 1 and 2 combined. 2. That's it. The defense certainly hasn't been to blame for the 2 losses. One of those TD pases went to a 4th or 5th string WR. The CB haven't been to blame.
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We have allowed 2 passing TDs in the 1st 3 games.
Maybe you want to ride out that "argument" again, so the obvious hole on the D magically disappears? Did you see the games? Which part of "I don't care for the numbers of TDs" didn't you get? We allowed plays all over. Hartline and Gibson caught balls worth close to 200yds, an UDFA rook forced to start caught a game winning TD
Ok, another try: riddle me this: if our Front 7 is good to great and Horton is a fine DC then why do we allow all those points? Especially in the 2nd half when teams STOP running and pass the ball on us? Hmm..it's not on Haden, right? Ward is ok too, right? The pass rush? Nah, it's good you say...Hmm, hmm, hmm....man I don't know, we should be shutting all those teams down if there's no problem and everyone is playing fine or good or great
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You seem to look at ths team as if it was a 10-6 team that just needed a piece here or there, and the front office ignored those needs. This team was a 5-11 team that had holes, or at the very least, uncertainty, almost everywhere. They filled a lot of holes with what appear to be quality additions. We have never set the edge as well as we do with Sheard and Kruger since this team returned in 1999. That's an immediate turnaround, and an immediate payoff from the signings of Kruger and Bryant.
I think there are different factors that led to the improvement on the front 7 and the new guys FOR SURE are one of those, another being Horton's scheme and coaching style and the other we've clearly seen is GROWTH of the young guys we already had: Taylor, Hughes and Winn all looked improved, don't they? Sure, we only won 5 games, but there was more talent than that on the roster, everybody saw that....and some of that talent simply has taken the next step, so just by natural GROWTH of what we already had we can expect more: I mean Jordan Cameron has already done WAY more in 3 games than in his first 2 seasons. Taylor has taken a step, so has Robertson, Haden has become more consistent, Sheard looked improved despite the transition. Those guys are entering their prime seasons...
That said, YES I thought this team was only a few pieces away from contending (be it 8, 9 or 10 wins at the end, I'm talking contending and playing meaningful games late into the season for a change) and that isn't delusional to think, just look at the Chiefs or Dolphins. That could be us. We had the biggest cap space combined with the youngest starting players around the league AND pretty well defined needs....a PERFECT combination ! Imagine what this team would look like with Grimes and Wallace and an AVG FB that makes 1mil/season. We would be 2-1 or 3-0 hands down, even with shaky/bad QB-WR play and little to no run game.
But apparently the new guys settled for "let's wait and see/punt it into 2014"...and I don't even blame them so much for decision, since that's what most do, it's only incredibly frustrating in terms of timing, but HOW they did it and the timing is even more frustrating, that's all. I and many others were on board with last regime's "plan" in general, we did a 180 in roster age and talent and cap space...THIS was the offseason to attack and all we get is yet another delay wasting a precious prime season from JT, DQ and some others entering in the process
And this isn't only about THIS season...we will be inserting 4-5 high picked rooks next season, most probably a QB and those will take some time to develop too and it'll be all about "just wait until next year" AGAIN, which messes with what we already have even more. The timing and feel for the roster situation are terrible imho, the new regime is acting like an elephant in a china bone shop. Needing a QB doesn't mean the whole roster needed a re-boot or an "evaluation year", that's what they get paid for, evaluate in the offseason and make decisions...and some of THOSE decisions have backfired big time and are the reason were still "only" a team "close", but not "there yet". Frustrating...
#gmstrong
"Players come along at different points in time" - Ray Farmer
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Dawson has missed 3 of 6 FG tries through 4 games. 1 of those was the free kick, but still, even missing 2 of 6 is not a good ratio. He is 0-1 from 40-49 yards, and 0-1 from 50-60 yards. (That miss being a 53 yard kick)
Maybe Banner was right about him? I hate to think that would be the case, because I really respect Phil ..... but he hasn't been the same so far this year.
I love the Mingo pick, because we didn't let desperate positional need outweigh taking a talented player. Mingo looks like a special player. Did we have depth at that position? Yes we did. Do we right now? Nope. Mingo is starting because both Sheard and Groves are hurt,
Many wanted us to take Milliner. I did for a little bit too. Milliner has been benched, and now has a pulled hamstring. He hasn't been at all effective. The coaches benched him against the Pats because they didn't want to "deflate his confidence" against a high powered offense. Really? That makes me wonder about his mental strength. The guy was a 1st rounder after all.
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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Let's face it, adding Kruger, Bryant and Bess isn't rocket science.
It's not rocket science but it's also not a sure thing. Nnamdi Asomugha and Albert Haynesworth are recent examples of free agent signings that weren't rocket science and turned out to be disasters.
Banner and Lombardi (who I think deserves most of the credit in identifying players along with Farmer) look like they hit on their two biggest free agent acquisitions which is pretty good.
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The one he missed last night, like you I am discarding the crazy free kick, was in a dome too.
It's better to be a year too early than a year too late.
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Gordon...the trend thing worries me, but the explanation of this and the NFL reducing the suspension brings me hope.
The NFL did not reduce Gordon's suspension.
Well, technically they did, but not due to any reason that provides hope.
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His issues have been different than they were in college.
His issues in college were that he couldn't stay on the field because he failed drug tests.
What has changed?
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