DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Who realistically can the Browns land in Free Agency?

I think Skrine will receive close to number 1 money. Too many on this board severely underrate the guy.
We'll see.

The Cleveland Browns, once again, had a disappointing, tumultuous season. But, like usual, their defense was reasonably solid. Even with Pro Bowl safety T.J. Ward departing as a free agent last season and first round draft selection Justin Gilbert contributing a sub-par season, the Browns' defensive unit held tough, particularly in the passing game, as Cleveland was the owners of the NFL's No. 8 ranked pass defense.

Of course, the well-known stalwart of the Browns is All-Pro cornerback Joe Haden, but it's the guy on the opposite side of the field who could garner much attention as a free agent; Buster Skrine.

Skrine had a career year in 2014, intercepting four passes and collecting 64 tackles. In fact, Haden's ability to lock-down half the field meant Skrine was facing a heavier barrage of passes, and he still performed well. The team wants Skrine back. Skrine wants to return to the Browns as well, but has stated he wants to test the free agent market, according to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal. Skrine should, and most likely will, command some serious attention on the open market. He's only 25-years old, has experience playing against wide receivers on the outside and as a nickel corner guarding slot receivers and he's a willing and ferocious tackler.

Unfortunately for him, he enters a free agent market which will include the likes of Brandon Flowers and Bryon Maxwell, with a possibility of Darrelle Revis joining that list. Simply put, Skrine will be coveted, but he won't be the most coveted, which may drive down his price. Unfortunate for him, yes, but for a team lacking cap space but with a tremendous need for a young, experienced corner? Very fortunate.

The Steelers struggles in the pass defense department have been well-documented. With three of their cornerbacks set to enter free agency, Pittsburgh finds itself thin at the position. Options exist in the first round of the draft which could be immediate fixes, but Gilbert, Skrine's teammate, was the eighth selection of the draft and wound up dropping below an undrafted player on the Browns depth chart, demonstrating the impossibility of depending on a rookie to save the day. Skrine has yet to hit the prime of career and already has four seasons under his belt. He will likely come much cheaper than Flowers or Maxwell, and he could potentially provide a return equal to the investment of either of the aforementioned defensive backs.

Cleveland has a ton of cap room, the third most in the league, to be exact, but owner Jimmy Haslam has said he doesn't expect the Browns to be "major players" in free agency. Even if the Steelers, or any other team, offered Skrine a contract, the Browns could certainly match it, if not exceed it. Shrine, however, might find the opportunity to be a number one corner, which he very well could be in Pittsburgh, too good of an opportunity to pass up.

http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/nfl...s-list-steelers

Cleveland has a ton of cap room, the third most in the league, to be exact, but owner Jimmy Haslam has said he doesn't expect the Browns to be "major players" in free agency.

That wasn't the question.

He definitely would if he hits the FA market. Possibly we get a deal done it will be a little less then what he would have pulled in on the FA but it will be a pretty penny.

Wish he was an RFA. Hope he doesn't get away.

I like Buster and wish to retain him, but if he is your #1 corner, your secondary is probably in a world of hurt...

If thats the case we should transition tag him so we can match anything he signs.

jmho

I thought Transition tag was top 10 CB avg salary.

I thought Haden was the top paid CB? or one of.

I was also thinking most transition tags won't become a one year tag. We would negotiate. Who else did we Transition tag recently and signed? Mack?

He said he wants to play for the Browns but wants to try the FA market to see what he is worth. He signs. We match or let him go to that club with no compensation. I doubt if he would just sign the one year tag and forget any long term contract.

Also on this subject. What is the starting point and ending for that matter on when teams can put TAG & Tenders on their players? I know its before FA starts.

jmho and ?

I thought Transition tag was top 10 CB avg salary.

I thought Haden was the top paid CB? or one of.

I was also thinking most transition tags won't become a one year tag. We would negotiate. Who else did we Transition tag recently and signed? Mack?

He said he wants to play for the Browns but wants to try the FA market to see what he is worth. He signs. We match or let him go to that club with no compensation. I doubt if he would just sign the one year tag and forget any long term contract.

jmho and ?

I thought Haden was the top paid CB? or one of.

Also on this subject. What is the starting point and ending for that matter on when teams can put TAG & Tenders on their players? I know its before FA starts.

Well after the length of time he missed after his last concussion and with knowing that with each concussion the effects worsen, let's just say that it looks as if I'm a little more concerned about it than you are.

i was hoping to use a transition tag on hoyer if possible if we don't have a vet targeted to bring in.

What has Hoyer done to deserve a big payday?

According to PFT, Josh McCown left Buffalo without a contract.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/02/16/josh-mccown-leaves-buffalo-without-a-contract/

Arrgh, hope he's not planning on visiting Berea.

10 wins 6 loss as a browns starting QB?

It's not laughable. Hoyer helped us win quite a few games.

1) It gives us continuity at the position. Hoyer has demonstrated he's at minimum fairly competent at his position.

2) It gives continuity to the offense as a whole. So far it appears that Flip is going to build off of what Shanny left behind. Hopefully it will be similar enough and run well enough to give us 2 years in the same system. If Hoyer leaves after next season... not nearly as big a loss because at least the rest of the offense will have experience in the system.

Paying Hoyer the average of what the top ten QBs are paid is a horrible idea. Teams struggle when they have to pay good QBs money, let alone below average ones.

What has Hoyer done to deserve a big payday?