DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Now what's your opinion of Savage

For the last year Savage has been critized for his selections in the draft and some of his FA signings.

From the Braylon Edwards pick in Savages first draft as Browns GM to everything last year except for Wimbley and DQ Jackson. He has gotten lots of flack..

Of course, some people on here have been very supportive as well,,

So here we are, the draft is over for us.. we just used our last pick on Chase Pittman/DE from LSU!

So this year, we pick up perhaps the best Olineman in the draft in Joe Thomas, then pull of a nifty trade up with Dallas to get a dropping Brady Quinn, someone who all off season has been touted as being a top 10 pick in this draft,,

Then he goes out and gets a CB who has been considered a first round talent but has had some off field issues.. (they seem resolved and behind him,, but? )

So what do you all think of Savage now! Are you impressed? Do you feel he made good moves? Did he give up too much for Quinn? Was it too big a risk for Eric Wright..

What's your opinion?

we've still got one more pick.

We have #24 in the 7th too. The trade with Dallas in the 6th gave us that.

My opinion... Phil Savage = genius!

Wait.. maybe not... I think we might be done. What did we get to move down in the 6th then!?

Same as it was before the draft, I support him completely, I even made a thread a few days ago saying that I don't get why Savage would go after this year if the team doesn't win enough because I believe he is an amazing talent evaluator.

Yeah, we do have another pick,, MY BAD,,, Pick number 234 is ours but I'm not sure how we ended up with it.. Savage has been a wheeler dealer this year LOL

But putting that aside, what do you think of Savage?

Liked him before the draft..............and love him now!

I think he got us 2 potentially great players in this draft, and took a flyer on a 3rd potentially great player by trading back into the 2nd. Wright seems like a risk ..... but if the team did due diligence, and feels confident that he's past his troubles, then I'm OK with that for right now.

Good teams hit at the top of their drafts. This year could be a huge hit when we look back years from now.

I really like the fact he is being aggressive, and making moves to get the guys he and Romeo want. He has gambled quite a bit this draft, which I like, but if the gambles don't pay off he will be in trouble. Trading away our second rounder and next years first rounder for Quinn was a gamble, and I think it'll pay off. Trading up for a "character risk" in Wright was also a gamble, but I think that'll pay off too. Savage is really putting a lot on the line in order to improve this team, and I really, really like it. A team like the Browns needs to make bold moves, and Savage did that. I've always liked him, and my opinion of him improved after this weekend.

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Savage is really putting a lot on the line in order to improve this team, and I really, really like it.

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LOL Please forgive me, but when I read that comment, the first thing that popped into my mind is how some people felt he was on the hotseat and would be cautious this draft,,, Just hit me a little funny is all...

About the last thing that Savage did this draft is play it safe!

The fact that he was not afraid to take some big gambles on this draft is impressive. Phil also showed that he is becoming a mind to reckon with in the league.

When he came on board, Phil was thought of as a draftnik who would not be able to stand up to the other challenges of his job. Well, he has survived much turmoil to this point and the ship appears to be going in the right direction. He has been able to make two of the biggest free-agent signings in the past two seasons, so I would say he also knows how to handle agents.

I've always been "hopefully" positive about Phil and I'm thinking that some of this hope is becoming real.

I think Savage is doing a fine job, his decisions aren't the reason for the losses. Injuries are the reason the Browns have been losing.

Giving up the next years 1st rounder is BRILLIANT!!

You get a top 5-10 talent (Quinn) and only have to pay him #22 money. Even if we ended up picking #1 next year (let's hope not LOL), you don't have to plunk down $20 mil in guarantees to another unproven player.

Phil gets an A-

i liked him before and now i like him even more.

he has picked/signed some key players for us

WR-Braylon Edwards
T-Joe Thomas
QB-Brady Quinn
LB-Kamerion Wimbly
LB-D'Quel Jackson
LB-Leon Williams
G-Eric Steinbeck
S-Brodney Pool(could be)
S-Brian Russel(not a stud but a good quality player)
WR-Joe Jurivicous(same as russel)



if these guys werent hurt they would be key
C-LeCharles Bentley
CB-Gary Baxter


these good moves have at least given us hope compared to where we could be

I have been impressed for the most part with Phil's first draft day each year. Braylon, Pool, Wimbley, DQ, and now Big Joe, Brady, and Wright...that's some good drafting. My concerns revolve around so many 2nd day reaches that haven't really been significant contributors to this team: Speegle, Osho, Dunn, et al.

I'm also hoping that we see something special from guys like Minter, Sowells, Harrison, and Wilson this season. If these guys come through, it will be like getting four extra draft picks this year. And, the Browns need a McDonald or a Pittman to step up and make some impact in 2007. Then I'll feel a whole lot better about Phil and his system of player evaluation.

I was sort of Surprised he took thomas, but maybe savage learned that our o-line sucked, and adding quinn at 3 wouldn't have done much to solve the problem.

I give more credit to the dolphins and luck that we got Quinn. it was obvious that none of the other teams in the teens and low 20's wanted quinn, so savage made the easy call to get quinn. I don't think that was a genious move, more so than just good luck and perfect timing.

But I have to give him credit for taking Thomas.I didn't think he had it in him.

Just Clicking

Now the Draft is over,,, we just took a wide receiver! Syndric something,,,

what is a Syndric Steptoe?

I know the Texas TwoStep, but not the Syndric Steptoe

I think its a foot fungus

I supported him before the draft and I still do now. The problems of the CB are still a bit sketchy, but I doubt Phil would trade up for someone who couldn't help take him off the hot seat

If the top 3 picks of this draft pan out, it could be one of the greatest drafts ever!

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what is a Syndric Steptoe?

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Heck if I know... wasn't there a movie about them called the Steptoe Wives?

It depends. My opionion of "what" about Savage?

As far as my opinion of him being shrude and not afraid to go after the players he thinks the Browns need...................

A+

As far as him being a great talent evaluater?

I (incomplete)

If we're looking at day one,I still think the jury is out. You have Wimbley which is great,but what about the O side of the ball?
Edwards has been a bit of a disapointment to this point. But I have to take into account a few things.
a. There wasn't a TON of talent there. The odds weren't great if you want to look back at that draft. So he could have done a lot worse!
b. A major injury has hampered his progress quite a bit.
c. Considering the injury,this season is the one that will make or break the Edwards pick.

So IMO,you can't really grade him out yet. Sure,he took a flyer on Charie. But even if Charlie becomes a career back-up here,at third round money,I don't think that one is so bad.

Finding "Diamonds in the rough on day 2?

I (incomplete)

If anyone expects second day players to be major contributers in season one,they're not being realistic. Sure,it happens on occasion. But it's far more the acception than the rule. These guys aren't rated this low in the draft without either their talent falling off,or injury and character issues So greater risks are involved. So lesser talent takes longer to develop in "the real world".

But this will be his third season,if his second day picks from the 05 and 06 draft are going to become contributers,this year we should start seeing that.

What about this year?

I (incomplete)

On paper and in my mind? I think all three of our first picks were great! The Thomas pick was hands down a great pick! And from a practical standpoint,he didn't pay too much to accomplish the goals he achieved.

The problem is,what "looks good on paper" doesn't always equate to the product on the field. So IMO,you can't give a grade on a draft untill the players show they either will,or won't perform on game day in the NFL.

So the jury is still out. This year we'll see some signs one way or the other. And by next year,I'll be able to give you a grade. But in my mind,on this draft? I give him an A+ just from an opinion on how I evaluate his moves from my point of view. But then again,I'm not an NFL GM,so what the hell do I know?

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The fact that he was not afraid to take some big gambles on this draft is impressive. Phil also showed that he is becoming a mind to reckon with in the league.

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I can't disagree more. The fact that we are one of the worst teams on both sides of the ball makes me think we would be more prudent with our draft picks. Going for home runs by giving away picks is something you can afford to do when you have good talent already, we don't.

If all three first day picks stud out then I guess it was worth it.

For all of you aplauding the pick of Wright, expect to hear from all the Bengals fans.

Pit...Not only did we OFFSET what $ will go to the OL...We got a Franchise Caliber QB for 22 $...For prolly an initial 5 or 6 year deal...As a QB the position might require a bit more than the normal 22 slotting...But guess what people...IT AIN'T SQUAT COMPARED TO RUSSELL...

PP Dawgie...HTF can u bit ch about getting a Franchise LT AND a Franchise QB in the SAME ROUND on the SAME DAY of the SAME DRAFT???

Unbelievable...

U may not see this again in your LIFETIME!!!

I'm STILL hard as a flippin' ROCK...lmao

I think Savage is one of the best and this was his best draft since coming here.

JT was really a must pick. I hope he can silence "the OL sucks" cowd.
We NEEDED an OT we didn't NEED a QBat #3.

Now to move up to 22 and get Quinn as well was the scoop of the draft
Then he went and brought in reinforcements for the D and a return specialist to take cutts place

I like what Savage has done in the draft and FA

Just Clicking

Wow,, heated discussions all over the place,, Yikes,,

Hey fellas, all I wanted to know is if savage silenced some of the naysayers,, My guess is that he didn't by the tone of some of these posts,,

Oh well,, next year he's doing all drafting with one hand tied behind his back,, perhaps that will convince some of you that he's pretty good.. and to think, he's young and in only his third year as a GM,, he's got time and room to improve,,,,

Now what's your opinion of Savage

Well, it's pretty much the same as before. Although I must admit that I am impressed that he had the cojones to pick JT with our first pick. He gets points for that. As far as the rest.....well.....only time will tell. I hope it's all good news.

All I know is he is doing what I expect a truly great GM to do.

He is identifying the true problem areas, and then systematically attacking them in a manner that keeps it manageable without it taking forever and a day. We're making solid, steady progress and have been all along.

If Savage was a painter and we have been watching every single brush stroke as he paints, Saturday was the point where most of us could finally go "Oh, hell... I see what it is he's painting now!". I think to alot of people it's just been a messy collection of colored blobs to this point, but to me it's a beautiful picture being revealed a little bit at a time

I like the guy a lot and think he does an amazing job of identifying and filling positions of need, long term if he can and short term if he can't. If you consider how the talent level of this team has progressed in three years, who has come and who has been replaced, I can not help but be impressed by the moves he has made: I look forward to the year in the not too distant future where the Probowl has Quinn, Thomas, K2, BE, Vickers, Steiner, Bentley, Wimbley, Jones, Bodden & Williams all playing in it. He made some really good moves this off season, filling in holes everywhere in FA and bringing in 3 potential big time starters in the draft. Hell, the team is better just by subtracting Cosey & Dropcutt. It's good to have a GM that knows who to cut as well as who to sign.

Bro, I've been thinking about this draft most of the day and here are some of my thoughts........

1. This year was a top heavy draft with very little depth. The players at the top of this years draft where heads and shoulders above last years top 5. Peterson will be a feature back...........Bush won't. Brick will be a good LT, but Joe will be a HOFer (and I ain't saying it because we got him, and you know that). Young and Leinart can't hold Brady's jock (and I put Brady here, because he was top 5 on most boards)......hell Russell can't hold Brady's jock either, but that will be proven on the field watch. This was a much better draft to be up top then any I've seen in a while, and we got 2 of the top 5 prospects.

2. Next years draft is much deeper and good players can be had through round 4.............especially RB and DL which will be our biggest holes to fill for an SB run.

So imo we did the right thing bro............even in Wright, because he would have been gone in 3, and there just wasn't much talent left at those picks. We rolled the dice a bit, but if it pans out we got 2 STUDS, and another pretty dang good player in a draft that wasn't that good.............and wasn't deep at all. We did the right thing by going with Quality over Quantity in this draft, becuase there would have been very little quality in the quanity we would have gotten in rounds 3-4.

Bro, if Joe would have been gone we would have taken Quinn. So we gave up next year's 1 and this years 2 for a guy we would have chosen with the 4th pick. I guarantee you bro, that we would have been going QB next year, and we wouldn't be drafting top 5. Now that means to get a guy like Quinn we would have to have given our 1, 2, and possible 3 to move up to get him. We saved money, we saved developmental time for our franchise, and we saved resources. This was a hell of a good trade that we lucked our butts into. Oh and your right, something like this happens once in a generation.............last time was Marino. We lucked out bro..........and this will be the draft that puts us over the hump in 2 years for good.

As far as Phil goes, I've been very aphrensive to give him a ringing endorsement, becuase I've seen some things in the past that made me worry. However, I am much more inclined now to believe that he gets it. Not because we got my guys, but because he used solid draft strategy again this year. Draft is good up top, but weak in the depth department??? Trade up and get the cream and screw the muddy waters in the middle. IF he is the GM I think he might be, watch how many picks we end up with in the mid rounds next year bro............I bet we have at least 3 or 4 of them. We played to this draft's strengths, and got a heck of alot more out of it than any of us would have expected.

Savage was never really the problem...it was uninspiring head coaching and injuries.

If the Browns had Bentley, they would have won at least 2-3 more games last year.

I was really warming up to Savage after FA but always maintained I wanted to see what he did with this draft.

I'll tell you this. As I mentioned in another thread, the guy has some big cajones.

I personally want Savage here a long time. And it's not because of what he did in the draft this year. He has proven himself to be an 'action-oriented' person. Those are the type of people that see a problem and immediately going about fixing it.

He has a pulse on the team needs and addresses them as prudently as he can. He takes calculated risks that are well thought through.

As Pit eluded to above, I think the verdict is still out on talent evaluator.

But this guy is trying to do everything in his power to turn the Cleveland Browns around.

And that's just it, he's doing things. Sees a problem and attempts to fix it.

I like people like that. They get things done and don't stop until they get good results. That's what we need here, especially in a division as competitive as ours where we are clearly not in the same class as the other three.