DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Free Agency 2015 (II)

The rumors of it costing two first round picks, no. No I don't. It can be high, but not in the realm of two first round picks. Five or so years ago when Breez was younger, I'd say give them whatever they want. He's got about two years at least left in the tank IMO. If we were more stable and had a better foundation built for winning, then also I'd consider it. We don't have that foundation. Too many holes/question marks on offense, defense and to some extent even special teams.

All JMO

I don't have the stats to back it up, but its seems like Brees isn't the same QB outdoors as he is in a dome. Maybe I'll go check his stat splits.

We win the division EASILY with 36 year old Drew Brees.

I'm glad he's saying this type of stuff....the opposite ends up happening.

First, it was get ready to be 'shocked' at the quick turnaround of Banner's reign. Then, it was how much Hoyer was a franchise QB for the long haul.

Now this! So, based on these trends, we're headed to the Super Bowl!

Brees - Dome (D) vs Outdoor (O)

Games - D: 91 ... O: 106
Comp % - D: 68.6% ... O: 63.9%
Record - D: 56-35 ... O: 58-48
Yards/Att - D: 7.91 ... O: 7.12
TD - D: 210 ... O: 175
INT - D: 92 ... O: 95
QB Rate - D: 101.3 ... O: 90.0

So.. Outdoors.. He's still what.. Arguably the best QB we've ever had?

Yeah, who wants that...

To all you negative nancies what exactly have we lost?

We lost a QB who played so poorly the second half of last season that he got benched for Johnny "freakin" Manziel. McCown may not be an improvement but he's not a downgrade either.

We lost a backup OLB in Sheard who even though seeing quite a bit of playing time managed to only record 2 sacks last year and signed with New England for over $5 mill a year. That's a steep price to pay for a backup who really doesn't fit our scheme.

And we lost Skrine our #2 corner who said he wanted to test the Free Agency waters, while this one does hurt it looks to me like we are looking at possible replacements plus we still have Gilbert who was supposed to replace him last year and even though he had a miserable season last year he is supposedly working out with Joe Haden on a daily basis.

Are we a better team now then we were a few days ago no but we haven't lost much and Free Agency just started plus we still have the draft yet.

Yep, still the best we've had for a long time, but not Elite - ie, not worth two #1 picks, or maybe even one, especially in the AFC North.

Charles Clay to visit Browns

Browns not using large salary-cap space like Jags, Raiders, Titans
March, 12, 2015
MAR 12
10:43
AM ET
By Jeremy Fowler | ESPN.com

The Cleveland Browns' free-agency plan is muddled by who they want to be versus who they’ve been.

They want to be a team that builds through the draft, fighting the urge to toss crazy cash at the top free agents this week. But some of the league’s worst teams have a lot of cap space for a reason.

They haven’t drafted particularly well and their draft picks aren’t worth re-signing. By default, they have to spend.

So the Browns are stuck somewhere in between, needing to fill roster holes with $40-plus million in cap space left while trying to not overdo it.

Cleveland's been inactive on the open market thus far, especially compared to the other teams with the most cap space. That doesn’t mean the Browns won’t pounce on a top target; they’re prepared to make a competitive push for tight end Charles Clay and are evaluating the cornerback and outside linebacker spots.

According to Spotrac.com, the Browns were fourth in cap space as of Wednesday at around $41.6 million after giving restricted tenders to four players. Only the Jags, Raiders and Titans have more space.

The Browns have to spend about $70 million over the next two years based on CBA rules.

Here’s how those teams have spent since the new league year began at 4 p.m. Tuesday (*significant signings only)

Jaguars, $63.7 million in cap space: TE Julius Thomas (five years, $46 million), DT Jared Odrick (five years, $42.5 million), RT Jermey Parnell (five years, $32 million), CB Davon House (four years, $25 million), OLB Dan Skuta (five years, $20.5 million), OLB J.T. Thomas (three years, $10 million)

Raiders, $59.6 million in cap space: C Rodney Hudson (five years, $44.5 million), NT Dan Williams ($15 million guaranteed), Lee Smith (3 years, $9 million), RB Roy Helu (two years, $4 million), LB Curtis Lofton (reported $10 million guaranteed)

Titans, $44.4 million in cap space: S Da'Norris Searcy (four years, $24 million), WR Harry Douglas (three years, terms undisclosed)

Browns, $41.6 million: (*Brian Hartline and Josh McCown signed after being cut by their respective teams; team re-signed WR Marlon Moore but that's a small-scale deal)

Clearly, the Browns did not plan to target the priciest free agents. They believe they can add depth and find a few quality starters from the mid-tier bin of players, maybe snagging a couple top 100 guys but no flashy moves.

Indy-bound outside linebacker Trent Cole would have been an ideal signing for Cleveland -- a productive pass-rusher on a modest deal (two years, $16 million with the Colts). That’s their model, and it's why Dwayne Bowe and Stevie Johnson could be receiver options if they are cut by their current teams.

Eventually, the Browns must get moving. Spending solely from the discount rack won’t help this team, either

http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/post/_/...-raiders-titans

Well, to be fair, those were his stats when he was in his prime. I don't think he's in his prime anymore, though I think he can still be effective for two years.

Yes, I'd want him, but I'm not giving up two first rounders for two years of an old, yet effective QB. Maybe we can get a 3rd year, but I doubt that.

Heck, if New Orleans is that ready to move on from Drew Brees, let's wait a year, have them cut him, and sign him next year.

Ugggghhh...

Ravens interested in Terrance Knighton

Cleveland Browns Scribbles: Thinking about quarterbacks changing places and perhaps signing Matt Moore -- Terry Pluto


By Terry Pluto
The Plain Dealer
March 12, 2015

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Scribbling in my Browns notebook as I think about NFL quarterbacks:

1. Most Browns fans probably know this -- it doesn't matter if the Browns offered one of their first-round picks to the Eagles for Sam Bradford. Or maybe they tried to trade with the Rams for Bradford. St. Louis was not about to trade Bradford to the Browns for a first-round pick. Why? It's for the same reason that the Browns are on the prowl for a quarterback: No help in the draft.

2. That's why the Browns signed veteran free agent Josh McCown, a fill-in as they continue their quarterback search. There are no quarterback solutions at No. 12 or 19 -- the Browns two picks in the first round. Nor does it appear that combining those two picks would allow the Browns to trade up in the draft to the area where they could select Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota.

3. Philadelphia acquired Bradford because it traded quarterback Nick Foles to the Rams. It was a quarterback-for-quarterback deal. Yes, there were some middle-round draft picks involved, but this was about one quarterback for another. The Eagles were not going to trade Foles to the Browns because they wanted a quarterback in return. The same with the Rams and Bradford.

4. The fascinating part of that deal is that Eagles coach Chip Kelly is willing to gamble on Bradford, who has had ACL knee surgery in each of the last two seasons. Kelly also likes a mobile quarterback for his uptempo offense, but how does Bradford and his very suspect knee fit into that? He played only three games in 2009 at Oklahoma and had shoulder surgery -- yet he was the No. 1 selection in the draft in the 2010 draft.

5. In Bradford, the Eagles are receiving a quarterback with talent, but a very scary injury history. They have Mark Sanchez in reserve, and he played relatively well after Foles was hurt last season.

6. The Rams obviously are weary of Bradford being hurt, so they'd rather have Foles - 14-4 in 18 starts for the Eagles. And Foles suffered a broken collarbone last season and missed the final eight games. As for Bradford, he's mostly played on bad teams in St. Louis and his record as a starter is 18-30-1.

7. The point is the Browns couldn't be a factor in these deals because they have no quarterbacks of consequence to trade. First-rounder Johnny Manziel is still in a rehabilitation center. Brian Hoyer was a free agent. Connor Shaw is considered a No. 3 quarterback by most teams.

8. I thought Hoyer would receive a better contract than the two-year, $10.5 million deal that he signed with Houston. It is for $4.75 million guaranteed. Obviously, he still has a lot to prove in terms of how most teams in the league view Hoyer.

9. Hoyer did want to play for Houston coach Bill O'Brien. They were together in New England from 2009-11 when O'Brien was the quarterback coach and Hoyer was a backup. The Texans other quarterback is Ryan Mallett, who also was with New England. The job is open, the two will compete.

10. Mallet signed a two-year, $7 million deal with $1.75 guaranteed. He had a good game against the Browns -- 20-of-30 passing for 211 yards, two touchdowns, one interception. It was his first NFL start. Some Browns fell in love with him. In his next start, Mallet was 21-of-45 passing for 189 and an interception as he looked bad against the Bengals. His season ended there with a torn pectoral muscle.

11. So Mallet has two NFL starts. Hoyer is 10-6 as a starter in the NFL. Houston hopes to find a quarterback between those two.

12. So many teams are scrambling for quarterbacks. The Bills brought in Matt Cassel to compete with E.J. Manuel. Cassel has had a strange career. When Tom Brady was hurt in 2008, Cassel stepped in and had a 10-5 record with New England. He was traded to Kansas City, and had a 10-5 record with the Chiefs in 2010. So he was 20-10 in those two years. In the other seasons, it's 13-28 and couldn't keep a starter's job.

13. Manuel was the Bills first-round pick in 2013 and given a chance to start. He hurt his knee against the Browns -- the same 2013 game where Hoyer suffered a season-ending knee injury. In 2014, Manuel lost the starting job to veteran Kyle Orton.

14. So many teams really don't know where to find a quarterback. The Jets have just traded for Ryan Fitzpatrick -- who was replaced in Houston by Hoyer. The Jets now will have Fitzpatrick and Geno Smith (a 2013 draft pick) at quarterback. Not sure who starts there.

15. Then there's 26-year-old Jake Locker, who was heading to free agency. Some teams would have been interested in him. Locker has battled injuries early in his career. He was 9-14 as a starter. But did show promise. He announced his "retirement" and issued a statement saying that he "no longer has the burning desire to play."

16. In the draft, Florida State's Jameis Winston is expected to be the top pick by Tampa Bay. Mariota will go somewhere in the top six. Part of me wonders if the Browns see Mariota sliding, will they gamble and try to trade up. As you can see by all the moves -- even a so-so quarterback has some value, and retains it for years.

17. Yes, the Browns gave McCown slightly more than Hoyer received from Texas. Just keep your eye on the guaranteed money. McCown's contract is $14 million over three years. The guarantee is $6.25 million. The Browns believed it was best for them and Hoyer to separate. My guess is that Hoyer knew that was the wisest move for him, too. He is very excited about playing for O'Brien.

18. I keep staring at these names: McCown, Manziel and Shaw. Those are the Browns three quarterbacks. Three question marks. I keep thinking the Browns are going to add someone else at some point.

19. The list of remaining free agent quarterbacks is depressing, some of the names being Matt Flynn, Blaine Gabbert, Colt McCoy and Jason Campbell. The one name of interest is Matt Moore. He's 30 and has thrown only 29 passes in the last three years as he backed up Ryan Tannehill in Miami. In 2010, he was 4-6 as a starter with Dolphins, but played relatively well: 16 touchdown passes, nine interceptions, 87.1 rating.

20. Does it make any sense to sign Moore? I guess it depends upon what you think of Manziel. Can he at least pull himself together to be a viable backup? Odds are, McCown starts. Odds are, McCown won't start every game. He'll get hurt, as most quarterbacks do. Or maybe the Browns think Shaw can be a viable backup. But the more I think about Moore, the more I think that he may not be a bad idea.


http://impact.cleveland.com/pluto/print.html?entry=/2015/03/cleveland_browns_scribbles_thi_2.html

It fits.

Yeah, because they have a good GM and we have stooge.

NT is a gaping hole and probably the biggest need on this roster after QB. Unlike QB, there were good options to fill that hole. They let Dan Williams sign elsewhere and have shown no interest in any NT. Again, what's the plan here? Play Kitchen?

Pettine is known for neglecting the run D. He's all about speed, rushing the passer, physcial CBs and stopping the run on the way to the QB. It's also the reason why he's not a good HC or even DC for that matter. The Bills D got better without him, because they have balanced out their D. Ask any Bills fan, their run D sucked under Pettine. He seemingly doesn't care. Remember him defending the Gilbert ole-tackling in College? Yeah, that's Pettine

Get ready Mr Kitchen, lol

Good article by Pluto; seemingly an unbiased analysis...

» Tight end Charles Clay, who was hit with the transition tag by the Dolphins, will visit with the Browns after meeting with the Bills earlier this week, per Miami exec Mike Tannenbaum.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000477860/article/visits-tracker-cj-spiller-to-meet-with-saints

EO - here's an article that has a comment referring to the Matthews deal not being signed

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/03/12/kellys-pursuit-of-murray-doesnt-make-sense/


Also, Eagles offer to DeMarco Murray

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/201...2-million-deal/

Actually. Overall, I believe they have one of the youngest rosters in the league.

Frank Gore is definitely no spring chicken but he certainly isn't "soft."

They played in the AFC championship game last year with virtually no running game and a retiring Reggie Wayne. Both positions were upgraded with those moves.

In a QB driven league, they also have one of the most gifted QB's since John Elway under center, and will likely have him there for 10-12 more years. 8-9 of which will be in his prime.

I wish the Browns had those problems.

Brandon Browner about to be a Saint

Ouch.


LA - theOBR
@LaneAdkins
The Browns discussion with CB Brandon Browner lasted all of 5 minutes…….

Tweet

@AdamSchefter

Who knew that one of the single most significant off-season decisions would be Frank Gore changing his mind about going to Philadelphia...
11:10 AM - 12 Mar 2015

That sucks.

We need a corner on the cheap. Browner is not that.

I bet we could get Dee Milliner off the Jets right now.

Dude you just said what I have been saying since the day we hired pettine. He has no clue how to stop the run.

Does he get to leave the scar tissue in New York?

Don't we have that sort of talent at corner in the form of Gilbert, Desir or even Nelson/Bademosi?

We need a "good" corner, not a "cheap" unable to compete corner. ESPECIALLY in this defensive scheme! They are asked alot!!

That my friends pretty much sums up the Browns 2015 FA period... The FO is dysfunctional, textgate, Shannahan, our own free agents bolting, c'mon nobody wants to come here. I'm sure this isn't the first 5 minute meeting between the Browns brass and a player within the last couple of days.

Would you rather they meet for 55 minutes or 5 hours?

If the money or interest isn't matching, why waste time?

They have a plan and are sticking to it. Would you rather they throw out insane contracts to free agents to get into the news? That worked so well for the Redskins.

Read more before you complain. That is not true.

Long enough to try and talk him into a reasonable contract and sell the Browns organization and fan base to him. If that takes 55 minutes or 5 hours if that's what is going to make the team better then that's what they should do, don't you think the fans deserve that? What I'm saying Punch is that is a clue to the free agency period for the Browns, quality players don't want to come here. If you have a scheduled visit with a free agent and it takes 5 minutes what does that say for your organization and your team? Of course nobody wants to overpay for free agents but we aren't talking about Suh or Revis here we are talking about Brandon Browner. I'm just saying it could be a clue as to what our FO is doing, sure we could be interested in a lot of players but if they don't want to come here then what can you do...

Yes, heaven forbid we actually upgrade the position by paying someone better than Skrine.

read more. it is true.

Haslam was promised REBATES by the NFL if he spends. He said he wasn't falling for that scam

Link