DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum DWAYNE BOWE ANYONE?

Smith cant hit anythign outside the hashes. there just wasnt any opportunites there. the guy has great hands and drops arent an issue for him. Bottom line?Bowe knows football!

i couldnt resist

Yes, circumstances. The circumstance in Cleveland is we don't have a QB to throw to any of these WR's that we've signed.

What are you talking about....I'm already getting my Thad Lewis jersey ordered.

I do agree with you though. While I've been pretty happy with most of our offseason moves, I still can't comprehend why we signed McCown. The ONLY and I repeat ONLY way it makes sense is if we are trying to guarantee that Manziel is our boy this year.

I actually do hope that Manziel does claim the starting spot for better or worse. Fact is, the guy pretty much played one game last year and we need to see what he truly has. If he shows up, awesome. If not, its a QB in 2016.

To backup Thad Lewis.

Just needs to get the right kind of QB as well as the right kind of WR to have chemistry and a connection.

"Somewhere over Dwayne Bowe"

Why won't the Browns release the Bowe contract terms, are they thinking fans will think they paid too much?

Or thinking fans will know they paid too much? Or think they know?

I wish him luck here in Believeland.

Sometimes it just takes a little time for these things to come out.

Well, I don't know if we're getting better but we sure are getting older.
Seems unlikely now that Farmer will draft a young WR. Not that I ever thought he would after his statements on the position.

The reason this team struggles is because we are a turn style of talent. The better players leave and then we have to plug in the holes. Our draft picks are hit and miss. To get better we need to secure our better talent.

That said, I'd still take Smith over any qb on our roster.

That's a tough cycle to break. To secure the talent, we have to provide a reason to stay. While Farmer and Pettine made rookie mistakes, what they started in their first year was a culture, a mentality to which the players can relate. The players who buy in, those here now and those brought in the next few drafts CAN build a core of talent with a team identity. This is what has not been possible with the constant change of leadership and team designs. This is why it is so important to stick with the Farmer/Pettine team.

Dude...

We got older- for all of 2 weeks.
In the the first weeks of offseason.


Do you really think that the draft is gonna net us a whole new crop of 27- to 30-year-olds?

The team's 'age profile' will skew back towards youth... when we use our TEN freakkin' picks this year. Did you forget that... or did you conveniently leave that consideration out of your mix, to promote your own POV?



What about his statements?

As I recall, he said words to this effect: "Building a team is more important than going all-in on individual positions. A well-balanced team can be successful without a premiere WR."

What part of "football basics 101" does that opinion defy?


And more importantly.... what makes you think that a statement uttered just 2 months into his new position as GM (about the Browns' situation in 2014) would still be binding in 2015?

Do you really think that you can actually see something that Farmer, Pettine, Flip, and an entire team of professional talent evaluators have somehow missed?

Do you really think that a guy (with his employment future hanging on every decision he makes) isn't going to see a roster need, and attempt to address it?

Maybe you do... but I don't.

_____________

Why not wait until the draft concludes, to make such bold statements?


Oh, I forgot- that's what 'reasonable people' do... and this is a fansite, first and foremost....



Never mind.
Go on... with yo' bad self.

While Bowe didn't have any receiving TDs, he did have 42 catches for First Downs, which is pretty decent. Only Hawkins had more for the Browns last year with 44, followed by Austin with 34. On a team with no offensive home run threats, fist downs become vital. If you move the chains, who cares who scores the touchdown?

Eotab, that is a great point about KC not having ANY WR touchdowns. I think I had seen that, but I forgot about it in the context of acquiring Bowe.
I remember him being a good wide receiver, capable of being very physical, and he is not prohibitively old. I am a little worried about his attitude and pot-headedness, though.
But Bowe, Hartline, Hawkins, Gabriel and a first-rounder give us a real solid corps. Now if we just had someone to throw the ball to them ….

I can see why Farmer went after Bowe on the account they were both in KC.
He knows Bowe. Bowe has a bigger frame than any current Browns WR.
But I just think there was better WRs to pursue that was available.
Bowe has 13 TDS in the last 4 years.
I don't see a trend where he is going to all of a sudden explode for 7-9 TDs this year.
I think Bowe would make a good #2 or #3 now.
but he looks to be a strictly possession WR. Not a big play guy.

...Bradshaw is a little too old for me, Eo. I'd be okay with Bradford for 19, but I don't see it happening. I'm not sold on Mariota, either and definitely wouldn't trade up for him. At 12, I suppose you take the risk. If we do ride with Manziel, Chris Bonner from CSU-Pueblo would be my developmental pick.

j/c

Remember too both Hearline and Bowe, during their best year, played on a team with a good running back.

I think the key here is supporting the run game. If all four receivers can occupy a defensive man, you further increase the chance a running back making 4-6 yard carries. If defenses lay off a receiver to help against the run, they risk giving up 5-10 yard slant or screen.

I think many fans try comparing Browns passing game to Saints and Packers. You really need to watch Seahawks, Steelers, and Ravens.

Another way to look at it from a defensive point of view. Browns show Bowe and Heartline outside the numbers with Hawkins and Gabriel/Benjamin outside the tackles. Crowell playing running back. How do you defend? Can you load the box stopping Crowell? You are leaving a receiver uncovered. You take away the receivers with either a dime or nickle package you make it easier for the OL to open running lanes.

In the red zone, Browns play Heartline, Bowe, Dray, and/or Barnidge. You have West and Crowell in the backfield.

I think with this receiver corp you make the Browns less one dimensional. It makes it easier adding rookie receivers slowly into the mix. This receiver corp still lacks depth. Browns will need to add at least one or two guys.

Browns offensive strategy is grind and pound 3-4 yards a play. To me, this offense doesn't look terrible and dependent on a superstar QB. This seems an ideal fit for Johnny Football.

Browns defense didn't give up a lot of points last year too. Fantasy Football fans will not like this offense!

For starters..I wouldn't even compare this offense to the Steelers.
second you make it sound like this is a offense is a juggernaut.
Its not.
Flippo is a 1st year OC. what you learned last year under Shanahan is now gone.
I see teams loading the box up and forcing McCown to beat you downfield.
He struggled last year with a BETTER WR CORE in Tampa.
CBs will play press coverage on Bowe and Hartline.

BTW I don't see Manziel playing a down this year. He has to get his life in order before he can even thinking opening a playbook.

Clem, I really don't see Farmer drafting a WR early.

If you look at last year, combined with his comments, he seems content to sign FA's and find UDFA's to fill the WR position. Of course I don't see a QB on the roster who I feel could utilize a top WR if we had one, so I wouldn't be too disappointed.

On a positive note, I do believe the combination of Hartline and Bowe is better than anything we've had. Both are big bodied WR's with good hands. So I do believe the WR core is much better as a unit than we were going into last year.

Haven't they said if they had not gotten the offer from Buffalo they would of taken Watkins?

Weren't there reports of them trying to trade up for Beckham?

Honestly Pit, I see them taking a WR in either the 1st or 2nd round. we need to find someone to replace Gordon this year and possibly going forward from there.

I understand them hanging on to Gordon, not dumping him now (as some want) because he's costing us nothing and may have value at some point.

But if we don't think in terms of him never coming back and act accordingly, we're fools.

Yeah, the more I think about it, they almost have to draft a WR high.

They almost had to draft one last year. Going in to the draft they KNEW meathead was gone. Yet Farmer decided to take a headcase corner and the smallest QB in the draft instead. I seriously doubt Farmer will ever draft a WR above the 3rd round. If that. I suspect the only reason he signed two this off season is Haslam got on his ass about it.

Oh, there's reports and rumors. Then we see what was done. There were a lot of opportunities to take great WR's last year. Even in the second at our pick Jordan Matthews was sitting there. He looked very good as a rookie. He was actually my favorite choice of all WR's in the draft. In the second, he was a steal.

So I agree with you in terms of what we heard, but to me, their actions spoke volumes.

Being a recover(ing/ed) alcoholic myself, I know that when he gets out of rehab, what he will need more than anything else, is something to focus on. For him, it WILL BE the the playbook, the game.

Well, considering he knew full well that meathead was suspended before last years draft and he blew off taking a WR anyway? And considering he drafted two head cases in the first round last year and neither of them played much at all? I have no idea what the man may or may not do. I have VERY little confidence in him. I don't trust him. He could earn that trust back by having one HELL of a draft this year. But I will believe that when I SEE it. Until then, I am very worried about what he might do in April. I see arrogance in his eyes. Hubris. And hubris is a weakness.

You make it sound like this offense will be lucky to find the field.

You give Steelers way more credit than I. You much prefer Haley as OC? Take Brown away and what do they have for receivers? Steelers RBs Bell and? Oh, I forgot Steelers TE Miller is worlds better. You dump Browns OL for Steelers? Really?

I disagree. I do see Manziel taking the reins unless they trade for Mariota. They are not building this team around McCown.

So you're going to base your opinion of Farmer off how his Draft..

..right after the draft is over..

And if he doesn't draft who you like.. Then he's an idiot.. Right?

If Farmer passes on a WR because he devalues the position, he's a idiot. If he passes on a WR because he doesn't like those available. that's a horse of a different color.

I totally doubt Haslam had anyting to do with signing WR's in FA. Personally, I've seen no proof that Haslam puts undo pressure on Farmer to do anything.

Pettine confirmed that Watkins was the selection until they got offered that trade. And who wouldn't have made that trade?

Gilbert was one of the top 3 CB's on "everybody's" board - and all 3 CB's were projected to be gone by about #22 from what I can remember. Also - I believe universally the report on Gilbert was that he was most likely to be able to play man the best out of the 3 .... even though I wanted Watkins - and didn't want JM - I can't fault Farmer for the moves. . . . still a lot of football to be played (and a pick this year) to see how well Farmer made out. I think if WR is the BPA on Farmer's board, he'll take a WR at #12 or #19 without hesitating.

The trade wasn't the problem. The picks were.

They need to select a WR at 12 "if" they can nab one of the big 3. If not, go DT at 12 and a OT at 19.

fair enough.

I liked your answer.


(dang... that looks an awful lot like a Vers post, doesn't it?)

I loved the selection of Gilbert, and still think it will pan out..

I was mostly commenting on the fact that people are claiming Farmer ignores WRs when there's evidence to show otherwise..

Going back to the thinking of that day, Gilbert was a pretty highly thought of guy. Without a doubt, he was thought to be a 1st rounder.

So, if you look at it in context, that wasn't a bad pick.., Thus far is appears to not have been a good pick

the one I questioned back then and still do is Manziel

We'll see how bad they are after this year.

The most alarming thing about the selection of Justin Gilbert...he was touted all over college football as being the #1 CB in college football with great size speed and playmaking skills...he absolutely was dominant in the combine...yet after interviews, his buzz died down significantly from that point till the draft...I remember reading how quiet the buzz toned down...To me it seems coaches, GMs, scouts whomever interviewed him found something they didn't like...we however overlooked it...big character flaw.

When I was reviewing Gilbert for a friend (Lions fan) I had a hard time liking a lot about him...He gambled far too often, got beat over top despite killer speed...horrible at tackling, can't disengage from a 170 Lb WR...

However he seemed to have extra long arms and big hands (would always be near breaking up the pass) and I've been begging for bigger CBs for our then small secondary...I thought he wasnt 1st round material yet hype triumphed...

However if Gilberts attitude is right and he wants to be an elite pro...He easily has supreme tools vs most CBs...As a Browns fan I really hope he turns it around

It will be a make-or-break year for both of them and very interesting to see how they both pan out.