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Very few guards ever gain a 1st round grade. The top guards usually are drafted in the 2nd round. They should be able to get a very good guard at pick #35. With the failed attempt to trade for Revis I expect a corner at #26. A QB at #4.
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Very few guards ever gain a 1st round grade. The top guards usually are drafted in the 2nd round. They should be able to get a very good guard at pick #35. With the failed attempt to trade for Revis I expect a corner at #26. A QB at #4.
I expect a QB nowhere in the first round but possibly at 35, but maybe not even there.
I like Mack at #4 and either another D player (CB or ILB) at #26 or possibly an OG at #26.
Earlier, I was an advocate for trading back from #4, but I don't think we can trade back from #4 and have a chance at Mack. We might not even be able to get him there, but I wouldn't trade up. I would consider trading back if Mack isn't there and acquiring more selections.
I would even advocate taking Mack at #4 (if he's there) and trading out of the remainder of the 1st round and pick up additional picks this year (and next year).
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He really wants to draft an OLBer at number 4? 
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He really wants to draft an OLBer at number 4?
yea. i think thats the one position(s) we are good at. good starters and back ups at the OLB position. so i dunno why we would take another one.
“To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.”
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better be a QB or watkins at #4 or trading down to gain more 2nd round picks.
You can't fix stupid but you can destroy ignorance. When you destroy ignorance you remove the justifications for evil. If you want to destroy evil then educate our people. Hate is a tool of the stupid to deal with what they can't understand.
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better be Teddy or watkins at #4 or trading down to gain more 2nd round picks.
Fixed it for ya! 
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Jc again
So this guy is a career injured backup? Excuse me when i don't jump for joy. I want someone who is a legit starter. I hope he proves better than that, but geez.
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I would consider him a legit starter. He's certainly better than anyone else we have in the backfield right now. That's not to say that we won't draft another RB but all in all I think it's a very nice signing and a good contract for both parties involved.
Find what you love and let it kill you.
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Less than 2 weeks ago, about 95% of the people who replied to what we should do about our RB position said that we should not sign Tate and draft a guy.
Why has that changed?
Tate has a long history of being injured and that was a part-time back.
Meanwhile, we lost Lava man and replaced him w/no one.
I am beginning to think Farmer and Pettine are idiots.
What changed for me was the contract. I expected a long term deal upwards of 6 mil a year. I know the talent Ben has but I felt his combination of contract and injury history was not worth it. Given a deal as low as it is and supposedly loaded with clauses protecting us against him missing games it was a phenomenal move.
I liked Lava. But I don't feel there was a big gap between him and Pinkston and maybe even Gilkey. He's also as bad a fit for the system as it gets. We didn't lose anything with him leaving. With the 3 OG we have we have one nearly average starter, a bottom dweller starter/good depth and a developmental project. We needed to invest a high pick in OG as it is. I'm never a fan of FA OL. It takes too long to develop continuity with your OL to plug and play journeymen and that's all I saw in FA this year. Unless it's a long term stud I'd always go draft for OL.
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http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2014/03/cleveland_browns_houston_runni.html
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Browns filled the void they've had at running back since they traded Trent Richardson last season by signing former Texans running back Ben Tate on Saturday.
If we had a void after trading TRich, then we had one before we traded him as well. Dealing him hardly set us back at the RB position.
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Jc again
So this guy is a career injured backup? Excuse me when i don't jump for joy. I want someone who is a legit starter. I hope he proves better than that, but geez.
I'll give you the whole spiel.
Foster was an UDFA in 2009. He didn't do much honestly. Tate was taken in 2010 to save the Houston run game. Tate broke his ankle and IRed his whole first season. Foster went insane and Tate has been relegated to backup duty since. Even as a backup he has vultured carries and done very well with them. He's a physical freak running a 4.4 at nearly 220 lbs with a quick burst and great cutting ability. He has been the best backup in the league for 3 years.
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Jc again
So this guy is a career injured backup? Excuse me when i don't jump for joy. I want someone who is a legit starter. I hope he proves better than that, but geez.
I'll give you the whole spiel.
Foster was an UDFA in 2009. He didn't do much honestly. Tate was taken in 2010 to save the Houston run game. Tate broke his ankle and IRed his whole first season. Foster went insane and Tate has been relegated to backup duty since. Even as a backup he has vultured carries and done very well with them. He's a physical freak running a 4.4 at nearly 220 lbs with a quick burst and great cutting ability. He has been the best backup in the league for 3 years.
He was the running back Tom Heckert wanted coming out of college and was selected just before Montario Hardesty.
He was also targeted by Banner and Lombardi for a year now.
Pettine and Farmer finally got him.
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Thank you, I sincerely hope he succeeds.
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Thank you, I sincerely hope he succeeds.
If he stays healthy Cleveland is going to love him - I've watched him up close for three years and really love his running style and work ethic. My only concern (which is a big one) is he finds ways to get hurt. I love how we structred this deal, and hopefully he has two fantastic years, the Browns turn it around and we can give him another 2-3 yr deal.
<><
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He really wants to draft an OLBer at number 4?
I think Khalil Mack would be just fine moving inside in a 3-4. He's big enough to play inside, he's fast enough and he's a banger! Put him next to Dansby and our linebacking corp starts looking pretty good. And if Mingo doesn't work out we can always move him back outside later if necessary.... Just my opinion. That is perhaps a bit high to take an ILB. But if he studs out it really isn't....
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I don't care who signed him. Ignoring the OL and signing Tate was freaking stupid.
so it is your feeling that signing Tate precludes them from signing an OL?
I get the concern, I wanted to get Schwartz, but it isn't as easy as picking up a phone and signing the guy, 31 other teams have needs and money.
They have made legit signings, they have addressed areas of need , there are still areas that must be handled... don't see where that makes them idiots
#gmstrong
A smart person knows what to say.
A wise person knows whether or not to say it.
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http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/24485401/rb-ben-tate-signs-with-browns "Tate is the 62nd-ranked player on the CBSSports.com free agent list, and he's coming off a 771-yard, four-touchdown performance last year in Houston. Though Tate, who played much of last season with multiple broken ribs, has struggled with his health -- leading to the speculation that the bulk of Tate's contract with Cleveland will be performance-based -- he's confident in his abilities." Didn't Richardson have better stats, and broken ribs, before we traded him to the Colts??? 
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<><
#gmstrong
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However, we will still need to draft a back up running back.
Hopefully Kyle Shanahan has the same knack for drafting running backs and fitting them into his system as his father did.
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Well, I hope he gives us a few 1500+ yard seasons with 20+ TD's a year.
We'll see.
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Less than 2 weeks ago, about 95% of the people who replied to what we should do about our RB position said that we should not sign Tate and draft a guy.
Why has that changed?
We know the contract details now. We got him on the cheap.
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Didn't Richardson have better stats, and broken ribs, before we traded him to the Colts???
Tate has much better per carry stats than Richardson. Richardson had better counting numbers because he was getting almost all of the carries. Tate was a backup.
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I don't care who signed him. Ignoring the OL and signing Tate was freaking stupid.
I don't see why the 2 have to be mutually exclusive.
I like the signing on Tate, as it adds premium level talent to the team. He is an explosive runner, but has injury risk. I think that we will grab another RB in the draft to compliment what we already have.
Tate
Baker
Lewis
And a Draft Pick ...... this looks like a nice group to me.
As to the OL ..... who did you want us to sign? What OL out there, who wasn't gone on his 1st visit elsewhere, do you think we had a realistic shot at signing? What if we contacted one or more free agent RB, and they opted to go elsewhere?
I have no idea who we might have contacted to come in for a visit, but a lot of OL came off the board quickly ...... some even before free agency "officially" opened. W really have no idea who we asked to visit, and who may have declined.
Further, I want to see what we do in the rest of free agency, the draft, and with the veteran cuts after the draft, before I go all crazy on anyone.
I gave Banner and Lombardi a chance until I felt that they made an enormous mistake in firing Chud. I think that was a chance for them to deflect blame, but it wound up backfiring on them. However, I like Pettine, and am willing to give him a chance. I am also willing to give Farmer a chance. I like most of the moves he has made so far. People have complained that we just filled holes we made ...... but that is what free agency is for. I think that we upgraded at FS and ILB ... and big time at RB. To me it doesn't matter what players we had in place at any of those positions as long as we got better. I think that we did.
As far as other positions we might want to see addressed ....... yeah, there are a couple ...... but it has to be the right player. I remember when our OL was "fixed" because we signed Kevin Shaffer. We need to be careful when signing guys, and make sure that they are a great fit ...... especially if we are going to invest $20 million, or so, in guarantees.
I admit that I would have loved to see us pry Eugene Monroe away from the Ravens. He was one guy I really wanted to see here. Unfortunately, the Ravens also wanted him, had a relationship with him, and re-signed him quickly. There are still a lot of Guards and Centers out there still available. Maybe one of them will be a fit at the right price. Maybe we make a trade for a guy. Maybe we draft a guy. I am willing to wait and see before I proclaim this a failed administration.
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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Didn't Richardson have better stats, and broken ribs, before we traded him to the Colts???
Tate has much better per carry stats than Richardson. Richardson had better counting numbers because he was getting almost all of the carries. Tate was a backup.
Tate's second year (his first year actually running) he was a back-up and ran for 942yrds... Richardson his rookie year as a feature back he ran for 950.... Tate did have a bad 2012 (only 279 due to injury) but had 771 yards in 2013 as a back up for part of the year where as richardson had only 563 this year.
I dunno, I think overall Tate has better stats as primarily a back up... Richardson was a feature back for one year, and then shared the load his second year.
Richardson may turn it around, but so far Tate is the much better back.
I will say both of them need to hold onto the ball better...
<><
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I expect that we will manage Tate, with maybe 20 or so carries/game. We'll use the other RB to spell him, and keep him from getting too beat up. He'll start, and play a lot, but I don't think that he'll be a 30 carry/game guy.
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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Tate's stats were affected by the presence of Foster....
Low mileage in his past,
We wont really know until he plays in a full time role...
This situation is analogous to the Michael Turner situation a few hears ago when he was backup to LT.
Welcome back, Joe, we missed you!
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That would make me very happy! The Browns have a glut of receivers (Gordon, Cooper, Benjamin, Little, Hawkins, et al) and tight ends (Cameron, Dray, Barnidge, Gray, et al).
We might take one or both positions somewhere in the draft, but there really won't be an impetus to draft one.
If you take away Gordon, even with, I would not say the Browns have a glut of WRs. If you would show a front office guy or even a fan the 2013 or career stats of these players, minus the names (for those Browns fans that see the good of their own players), they would say that WR is a postion of need. Even with Gordons stats, they would say a WR is needed in the draft. To have a glut of WRs, is to have 2 #1s and a couple other good ones, or a #1 and a good #2 and#3. Minnesota had a glut of WRs when they had Moss,Carter and Reed. Thats a glut of WRs. Denver had Decker, Thomas, and Wes Welker. Thats a glut of WRS or when Pittsburgh had Ward, Sanders, Wallace and Antonio Brown would be considered a glut. Without the upcoming draft, the Browns still dont have a glut even with the FA acquisition of Hawkins. Little is an underachieving ex 2nd round former RB in college who led the league in drops 2 years ago. Minus being a punt returner, Benjamin doesnt have must have numbers and his WR stats dont wow anybody. Cooper an ex UDFA who rarely played his rookie year and was rarely on a roster his 2nd year. Other teams werent ready to pounce on the Browns 4th or 5th WR who lets face it, was signed here as an UDFA because his college QB was a 1st round pick. That would hardly count as a glut. The same can be said at the TE position. Outside of a breakout season from Cameron, who couldnt find the field behind Watkins, if you put the stats of the other 3 TEs that you have stated, not many people would say that the team is set at that position let alone be considered a glut. Barnridge and Dray are blockers that dont command much from the defense and Grey is an ex college QB who better fits as a wildcat QB or H-back. As you say because of this the Browns dont need to use a pick on these players until the mid rounds, I respectfully disagree. In this upcoming draft, they still need to revamp this offense. I would rather see the Browns address these positions with their first 5 picks in the 3 rounds. Maybe not TE but WR. It depends on who is available. I do agree that their depth at these positions is better going into the draft than they were with what Chud had to deal with. I can say that the Browns dont NEED to draft those positions now because there is more depth but there is not enough talent at those positions to scare a defense or to neglect those positions in the draft. They do have 2 Pro Bowlers to throw to but as we all saw last year, you need alot more than that to reach the playoffs let alone get more than 4 wins. Adding Dray and Hawkins doesnt garauntee more wins than the year before. What if Cameron or Gordon (God forbid) get hurt? Then there is zero depth at that position. You say you wouldnt mind adding depth to what they have now in the mid rounds to be a better team to address other needs. I say, draft a top WR at #4 with Watkins and a top TE at #26 like Amaro or whoever is a top rated TE. That would give them a glut or depth and an offense that would put fear into defenses. But I dont completely disagree with you because now that the Browns signed Dray, Hawkins and Tate that they dont NEED to draft any position but can go into the draft and select the BPA in any round.
Now to the Tate signing. Based on how the contract was made up, I love the signing. I wasnt expecting the Browns to get the #1 rated FA RB. Which isnt saying much since he is an injury plagued backup. But he will be the 16th or 18th highest paid RB going into the 2014 season. I believe he will outplay that contract and be a top 10 RB in yardage. I cant complain about that deal and it is an improvement so I have zero problem with this signing. Tate wasnt my first choice at RB though. I wanted Toby Gerhart who was a good RB in college who did very well when he had to step in for Peterson. Plus backing up Peterson he has no mileage and got to learn behind the best RB in the game. Like Hoyer learning from HOFer Brady but Gerhart was a 2nd rounder backing up a HOFer. The way Tate is talking is that he could be a top 5 back. With his injury history, I dont see it happening but I do see him matching the production of picking up FA Jamal Lewis, which is a plus. But the Browns need one more guard and to resign Mack for even that to happen.
With the Browns bringing in Shanahan, I think thats a big reason Tate came to Cleveland and stayed until he signed a contract before visiting 2 other teams that wanted his services and he didnt leave to look for the best deal. He knows the system from Shanahan and Kubiak which should help in his learning curb and he has seen what Shanahan has done with 6th rounder Alfred Morris. Based on that, he could easily be a top 5-10 back barring injury.
Now remind you, this is not me saying this as a realist, but as an optimist. This is the 1st time that the Browns have signed 3 potential Pro Bowlers in one FA period. 1) Tate sees himself as a top 5 back. If the 2nd rounder from Bo Jacksons alma matter can stay healthy and can contribute like what 6th rounder Alfred Morris did in his rookie season under Shanny then it is not impossible to say Tate could be a Pro Bowler. Heckett is said to have wanted him and desperately traded up to take Hardesty because as he stated "we felt we needed to do this after all the other big backs were taken off the board.". Also, there were reports of Banner and Lombardi wanting to trade for him. 2) Whitner is a former Pro Bowler who is replacing a Pro Bowler and get his stats needed to go back. Ints. are the stat needed for a S to get selected to the Pro Bowl and lets face it, we all know Whitner is better in coverage and he can hit to help in the running game. 3)Dansby is also a former Pro Bowler who is replacing a former Pro Bowl alternate. He is better at getting to the QB than DQ and we all know he is better in coverage.Not far fetched at all to say that the Browns just signed 3 possible Pro Bowlers if all 3 stay healthy for a season. It might mean that other injuries have to happen but you can be the 8th best at the position and still make it to the Pro Bowl with injuries, players opting out in case of injury and players not playing because they are in the SB.
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One thing I like about the Tate signing is that he is a good receiver out of the backfield. So are Baker and Lewis. We are building a nice arsenal for the QB.
Tate, Baker, Lewis, Gordon, Cameron, Hawkins ...... that's a nice start. I would like to see a drafted RB added to the picture, and a WR as well, since this is such a deep WR draft. The former brain trust liked that Charles Johnson kid we signed from the Packers, but who knows how the new guys feel, Ditto about Little. He is a great blocker, which I know Shanahan values at the WR spot, but can the new coaching staff get him back to the level he showed in the 2nd half of 2012? It would be great if they could.
Anyway, I think that we have far mor weapons today than we did last year ..... and I am sure that we wwill add a few more through the rest of free agency and the draft.
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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As stated earlier, some Browns fans thought that going into last preseason, that the Browns had a strong RB core. High 1st rounder Richardson who missed training camp the year before and played hurt; Hardesty who had his best healthiest season was seen hitting holes better than Richardson; traded for speedy Dion Lewis who was seen as a player who could put up numbers ala Sproles in Turners offense; and Obigonnya as a former depth RB, 3rd down specialist and converted FB. Lewis gets hurt and that took away a weopon in preseason, a speedy scat back and change of pace. IR before the season starts. Richardson doesnt impress the new staff after breaking Browns rookie records, gets traded and can no longer blame the Browns Guards for his poor YPA. Hardesty gets cut after being hurt all preseason. Obi is forced to play FB, then some RB after injuries and no other options. It turned out to be one of the worst in the league.
Now the Browns have an improved core before the draft even starts. They have Tate, which we all have to wait and see if he can be healthier thru out a season than a Hardesty or Richardson. Lewis should be back healthy but with the emergance of Brownie Baker late last season those 2 will be fighting it out as the speedy change of pace back. Now I think the new staff will see what they have with those 2 (Baker,Lewis) but one of those 2 players could be traded to the Colts if they dont get RB help in the draft. They have Richardson but lost Donald Brown to SD. Now that Chud is in Indy, if the Colts dont get much in the draft and injuries happen before the season, I see the Colts making a trade for one of those 2 if Chud tells Pagano that these guys can ball better than what they have on the roster. Or Chud might like what he has already seen as proven over what is in the upcomming draft. So maybe a draft day trade is made but I think its more likely a trade is made right before the season for a pick in the 2015 draft. I want to draft a bigger every down back in the upcomming draft, especially with Tates injury history, like Hyde with pick #26 or the 2nd rounder. Then trade one of the 2 speedy backs for a late pick in nexts draft to the Colts. Go into the season with Tate, Hyde and Lewis/Baker. I also want a FB. That would be a formible RB core that would be vastly improved over last season.
Did Hardesty every get a look after the Browns cut him? Im pretty sure hes done in the NFL.
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I still think it is easier to plug in a RB than a guard.
Look, things can still work out fine. I just don't like how we are targeting skill guys and ignoring the OL and some of the comments both Pettine and Farmer have made about the QB position.
They could end up being great and I am not down on them yet. I am just concerned right now.
Free agency isn't over my friend. Now we enter the quiet time where players and agents start to get a grip on their worth. I am not sure who is left as far as O-line is concerned, but we have a long way to go before we can say we ignored the line.
Time to see if I can find a free agent tracker and see who is still out there.
If everybody had like minds, we would never learn. GM Strong ![[Linked Image]](http://www.dawgtalkers.net/uploads/small-gator-chomp.gif)
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We may be taking one of the elite tackles with the 4th pick, not sexy, but smart.
GO BROWNS!
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We may be taking one of the elite tackles with the 4th pick, not sexy, but smart.
We may, but I doubt it. It wouldn't surprise me if we went O-line with pick #26.
If everybody had like minds, we would never learn. GM Strong
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Ben Tate highlights This is just a highlight film, but at least it's his NFL highlights. I'll say this, the kid has some giddy-up! If he can stay healthy we may actually get some semblance of a running game going. Wouldn't that be refreshing?
#BlackLivesMatter #StopAsianHate
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I still think it is easier to plug in a RB than a guard.
Look, things can still work out fine. I just don't like how we are targeting skill guys and ignoring the OL and some of the comments both Pettine and Farmer have made about the QB position.
They could end up being great and I am not down on them yet. I am just concerned right now.
I was against going after Tate for most of the reasons you mention, injury history, cost and would rather draft a RB in the mid rounds. Tate's injury history and what I suspected to be major contract $$, had me very reluctant as I didn't wish to see a repeat of a high dollar investment sitting on the bench due to injury.
However, I'm ok with this signing.
Dude can ball. He's proved that. And he fits the system.
And the contract is team friendly, that is, incentive laden to protect the team against injury should that occur. It makes Farmer's statement, "The right player at the right price", hold good.
Besides, this signing doesn't prevent drafting a RB as well to compete with that unit. That would be the smart thing to do I believe.
The guard situation really has me perplexed. We have Grecco and Pinky and nothing behind them. Hell, it took 3 players just to make one guard early last season and that was just to reach failure level.
Maybe there'll be some later cuts and we can pick up a good stop-gap guard and plan heavily on drafting more than one OL early enough to crack the line-up sooner rather than later. No more token OL taken late in the draft hoping for development. We need someone who can be ready to play sooner.
#gmstrong
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Legend
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Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 39,550 |
The thing is that there aren't that many guards in FA, and the ones that are are there for a reason. The top 2 had grades of A and B....the rest are C and D....the grades are in reference to the type of dollars they should command, not a player grade if that makes any sense.
Who would you guys like to have picked up....I think Beadles was the top rated prospect...can't remember who was 2nd....both have signed. Lava as an example was a D prospect and we saw what the Skins paid for him.
Who do you want? My thinking is we will need to draft a guard and look for some UDFA prospects in addition to signing one of the left overs from a weak class of free agents.
Oh...don't forget Gilkey...I don't think it is time to wash him out.
Last edited by Ballpeen; 03/16/14 07:09 AM.
If everybody had like minds, we would never learn. GM Strong
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Joined: Feb 2013
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Rookie
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who was the #1 free agent at RB? I thought it was tate . this is a good signing 7mil two years we did not get hurt on this deal http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/nfl/45947/309/2014-nfl-free-agents1. Ben Tate (Signed two-year deal worth "up to" $7 million with CLE) 2. Rashad Jennings (Signed four-year, $14M deal with NYG) 3. Darren McFadden (Re-signed one-year, $1.75M deal with OAK) 4. Andre Brown 5. Knowshon Moreno 6. Maurice Jones-Drew 7. Donald Brown (Signed three-year, $10.5M deal with SD) 8. Ahmad Bradshaw (Re-signed one-year, $855K deal with IND) 9. James Starks 10. LeGarrette Blount 11. Anthony Dixon (Signed undisclosed deal with BUF) 12. Toby Gerhart (Signed three-year, $10.5M deal with JAX) 13. La'Rod Stephens-Howling 14. Jonathan Dwyer (Signed one-year deal with ARZ) 15. Peyton Hillis (Re-signed two-year, $1.8M deal with NYG) 16. Bernard Scott 17. Justin Forsett 18. Jackie Battle (Re-signed one-year, $855K deal with TEN)
Last edited by dawg1965; 03/16/14 07:37 AM.
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Joined: Sep 2006
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Legend
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Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 13,205 |
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15. Peyton Hillis (Re-signed two-year, $1.8M deal with NYG)
I wonder if a day goes by where Hillis doesn't kick himself for turning down the Browns' multi-year offer. What was it, $4-5M a year for 4 years, with around $9M guaranteed? That has to hurt.
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Posts: 6,370
Hall of Famer
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Hall of Famer
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better be a QB or watkins at #4 or trading down to gain more 2nd round picks.
Why? Neither one is worth the #4 overall selection.
If I can get a reincarnation of Lawrence Taylor or Derrick Thomas, I'll draft him every day over an uncertain QB or a WR. Period.
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 55,499
Legend
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Legend
Joined: Mar 2013
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j/c:
I read several posts that were directed towards me and I apparently wasn't clear. I apologize for that. Allow me to have yet another attempt.
I think you should build your team through the draft. I think that you should use free agency as a tool to help plug holes. I think you should go into the free agency period w/a list of needs that urgently need addressed and target players who fit those needs.
We have an urgent need on the OL. Most every poster on this board complained about our run blocking last year. Some even blamed almost all of our offensive problems on the OL early in the year. We correctly did not resign Lava Man, but that left an even bigger void on the OL. We needed to go after one of the guards or tackles in this free agency period.
Guys like Asamoah fit Shanny's system perfectly. Other teams sensed the value of the offensive line. Those guys were signed quickly. Why weren't they a priority for us? Instead, we focus on an oft-injured RB and a slot receiver who has ability, but thus far has failed to produce. I do understand the need for Whitner and Dansby. I'm good w/those two signings.
Furthermore, this draft class is very, very deep w/WR talent. Excellent RBs are found in a myriad of ways. Young guys can step in and play effectively at both positions more easily than a young offensive linemen can. The OL is more complex. I know people think they are big, dumb guys who win by brute strength, but that is simply not true. Intelligence, technique, cohesion, and agility are even more important in the zone blocking scheme we will be running this year.
My issue is that I feel we should have made the OL the priority in free agency and turned our attention to the WR and RB positions in the draft. I do realize that most fans get a lot more excited about RBs and WRs than offensive linemen and that is probably why most of you are so giddy. Heck, there is a significant percentage of posters on this board that actually want us to draft Watkins at 4, despite being burned repeatedly by spending high picks on receivers year after year after year.
I should not have said the word "idiots." I am simply concerned because it appears the new guys [Farmer and Pettine] are making the same choices as the previous regimes. I understand that they were not here to see what colossal mistakes were made, but then again, how hard is it to research the yearly blunders?
Oh, and once again........I am not asking anyone to agree w/me. I am not the type of poster who feels that we should all agree. However, I don't like it when others act like I am whacked for my opinions on these matters, especially given the history of how things have played out over the years. I could care less if you agree w/me, but please stop acting like I am crazy, or ignorant, or am just making things up to fit my agenda. I think history has show those things are not true. Thank you.
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Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Browns sign Ben Tate.
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