DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum The Dead Zone 20 questions

Its the time of the year where we are neck deep in the dead zone. NFL and College are on vacation. The NBA season is over and other than the UFC there just isnt a whole lot going on. *reds fan here and there season is over as well lol*

Anyway I thought it would be interesting to get some opinions and hopefully start some good conversations. I know things will change in camp but I just want you to try your miss cleo hat and at the end of the year we can look back and see how dumb we really are lol

1. Will one of our RB's become our franchise back and if so who will it be?

2. Who wins the RG position Grecco or Erving?

3. Will we have a probowl TE or receiver at the end of the year and if so who will it be?

4. Opening day who is our blind side pass rushing OLB?

5. Which undrafted rookie steps up and shocks the world?

6. What rookie draft pick face plants and doesnt make the team?

7. Will Johnny show enough in camp to create a QB competition?

8. Who will be our leading receiver in yards and TDS?

9. IS our kicker on our roster now or will we be waiver wire waiting?

10. Will Pryor be WR, TE, QB, or burger flipper?

11. Will McCown be the man? if not in what week do you expect his true nature to be exposed?

12. Will our rookie OC be a big hit, big miss or still a big question at the end of the year?

13. What will be the Browns divisional record and will this team be train wreck, middle of the pack hoping for last wildcard birth, or making plans for hosting in January?

14. Where will we rank in passing and rushing at the end of the year?

15. Browns run defense and pass defense with the new additions and finally healthy where will they rank 1-5 5-13- 14-22 or 23-32?

16. Who will be our punt and kick returners?

17. What game will be the most shocking win and what game will be the most infuriating loss?

18. Who is the breakout player? Last year it was Gipson

19. Who is the veteran player that will be our shocking cut?

20. Lastly, you are GM what 1 move or trade would you attempt to make before opening weekend?

I hate NNIGN (no news is good news) time.

hope greco. erving needs to be at RT.

1. Will one of our RB's become our franchise back and if so who will it be?
I believe west will be our feature back and Crow and Johnson will have their select roles.

2. Who wins the RG position Grecco or Erving? I expect Erving to be given the nod and Grecco to become our 6th man on the OL but this one is really to close to call.

3. Will we have a probowl TE or receiver at the end of the year and if so who will it be? My guess is we will have atleast one and I think it may be a TE that surprises

4. Opening day who is our blind side pass rushing OLB? I say its the rookie Orchard with Mingo and Bryant getting healthy.

5. Which undrafted rookie steps up and shocks the world? I realy like Bibbs and feel he could make a major impact.

6. What rookie draft pick face plants and doesnt make the team?
Gaines gets caught up in the numbers

7. Will Johnny show enough in camp to create a QB competition? I think it will be wide open by the 3rd preseason game.

8. Who will be our leading receiver in yards and TDS? Gabriel in yards and Hartline in TDs.

9. IS our kicker on our roster now or will we be waiver wire waiting? The kid from Vandy surprises everyone and holds the position

10. Will Pryor be WR, TE, QB, or burger flipper? Unless there is an injury he doesnt make the roster.

11. Will McCown be the man? if not in what week do you expect his true nature to be exposed? I think he is damaged goods and will falter early. Hope I am wrong but it is what I expect

12. Will our rookie OC be a big hit, big miss or still a big question at the end of the year? I think he will be a pleasant surprise. My impression is that he is a Borg lol absorbs the good he comes in contact with and discards the things he doesnt like.

13. What will be the Browns divisional record and will this team be train wreck, middle of the pack hoping for last wildcard birth, or making plans for hosting in January? 4-2 in the division and competiting for both the divisional crown or a wildcard birth. 9 wins may take the division.

14. Where will we rank in passing and rushing at the end of the year? 16 in passing 12 in rushing.

15. Browns run defense and pass defense with the new additions and finally healthy where will they rank 1-5 5-13- 14-22 or 23-32? 1-5 in pass defense and 5-13 in rush defense

16. Who will be our punt and kick returners? Johnson in kickoffs and everyone gets a shot and punts and no one does it well.

17. What game will be the most shocking win and what game will be the most infuriating loss? We blow out the Broncos. we choke against the 49ers and let Kap run all over us.

18. Who is the breakout player? Last year it was Gipson I am still predicting Gabriel is even better this year over 1000 yards.

19. Who is the veteran player that will be our shocking cut? Dwayne Bowe, the guy I saw last year looked ready to hang it up.

20. Lastly, you are GM what 1 move or trade would you attempt to make before opening weekend? I dont really see anything right now that might be available to help is immediately nor do i feel we have anything we can trade to to get us a major pick next year.

From all this gossip, I think Erving won't be tried at RT, if he takes anyone's spot, it'll be Grecco's @ RG as this former Seahawk, Bowie, is getting and has gotten a lot of hype acquiring him when Seattle waived him last year. He will challenge at RT.

I don't believe that's the type of game that will be called. I believe they will mix up the plays between the RB's to keep fresh legs in the game. As such, no single RB will separate himself from the crowd.



I believe it will be Erving. He is athletic and versatile. I believe they drafted him to play him and he will be on the field.



No. Once again. as with the RB's, the ball will be spread around between the WR's as we saw last year. There's not a hero in this crowd.



Mingo



With the mess that is the TE position, I believe Bibbs has the best odds here.



I'm simply playing the odds here by using the last drafted player, Hayes Pullard.



No. This coaching staff is in no hurry to let JFF play and I don't blame them.



Brian Hartline.



Hopefully waiver wire waiting.



I believe he will end up being a slash type player. Wildcat and used in different capacities.



By week 8. It's not like there's not enough film on him already, but it may take the opposition a little longer to get comfortable defending Flips game plan.



We have too many rookie coaches at different positions for me to realistically believe everyone bats 1000. If we don't see steady progress in the O as the season goes on, I believe he will be a big miss. I don't believe any NFL OC with such little experience will be a hit right out of the gate.

Unless things go horribly wrong, I believe he'll get another season because some will believe continuity is more important than competency.



Train wreck is in the eye of the beholder. We won't be looking at playoffs for sure. Rookie OC and lack of a real QB will seal the deal on that. Now on the aspect of train wreck. I believe that depends on if you have realistic expectations. We have a tougher schedule, no real QB, a rookie OC and other mitigating factors that I believe 6-8 wins is realistic. If that's what you expect given those circumstances, then I don't believe you perceive that as a train wreck.

If however you have some high I the sky expectations, you may perceive what you see as a train wreck.



I believe we improved in the WR department. Both from a talent perspective as well as size. Larger targets along with a QB that has a stronger arm should show some improvement. Last year we ranked 20th in passing yards. This year my guess will be 18th.

With Mack back and the addition of Erving, there is also a very good possibility we gain some ground in the running game. Our opponents know we'll be running the ball so I don't believe we will be breaking the top 10 without a QB, but with more depth in the backfield and using the passing game with the RB's, I say we go from 17th in 2014 to around 15th this year.



That 13-14 split sounds about right.



I have no idea at this juncture.



Most shocking win 49er's

Most shocking loss Rams



I hope I'm right about this one for all of our sakes. Gilbert



Marlon Moore. Not all that shocking but about as shocking as I think it will get.



I would try to trade Phil Taylor.

TOTAL GUESS WORK

1. Will one of our RB's become our franchise back and if so who will it be?
Yes, Crowell

2. Who wins the RG position Grecco or Erving?
Grecco, I think Erving goes RT or ends up taking over for Mack after he's found to not be ready

3. Will we have a probowl TE or receiver at the end of the year and if so who will it be? No

4. Opening day who is our blind side pass rushing OLB?
Mingo

5. Which undrafted rookie steps up and shocks the world?No, none will make the final roster

6. What rookie draft pick face plants and doesnt make the team? Duke

7. Will Johnny show enough in camp to create a QB competition?Yes

8. Who will be our leading receiver in yards and TDS?
Bowe

9. IS our kicker on our roster now or will we be waiver wire waiting?we will be waiting

10. Will Pryor be WR, TE, QB, or burger flipper?WR

11. Will McCown be the man? if not in what week do you expect his true nature to be exposed?My first crazy prediction (and I reserve the right to change it often, I think JM starts game one

12. Will our rookie OC be a big hit, big miss or still a big question at the end of the year?He's struggle at first then catch fire. we're going to be pleased overall

13. What will be the Browns divisional record and will this team be train wreck, middle of the pack hoping for last wildcard birth, or making plans for hosting in January?I want to see 9 wins and I'll be happy. I think that's possible

14. Where will we rank in passing and rushing at the end of the year?Rushing 7th and passing 25th

15. Browns run defense and pass defense with the new additions and finally healthy where will they rank 1-5 5-13- 14-22 or 23-32?1-5

16. Who will be our punt and kick returners?Duke and Bengi

17. What game will be the most shocking win and what game will be the most infuriating loss?Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh

18. Who is the breakout player? Last year it was Gipson
Shelton

19. Who is the veteran player that will be our shocking cut?Dansby

20. Lastly, you are GM what 1 move or trade would you attempt to make before opening weekend?I'm not make a trade... unless it involved us getting a premier QB and that's just not going to happen

1. Will one of our RB's become our franchise back and if so who will it be?

I firmly believe that Crowell is a franchise type running back. If the offensive line is healthy and he's given the rock 20-25 times a game, he'll produce elite numbers by years end.

2. Who wins the RG position Grecco or Erving?

Erving had better being playing right tackle, unless Bowie wins the right tackle spot. Mitchell Schwartz is awful.

5. Which undrafted rookie steps up and shocks the world?

E.J. Bibbs the TE out of Iowa State.

6. What rookie draft pick face plants and doesn't make the team?

Vince Mayle. The bottom of the depth chart is crowded. I could see him being cut or allocated to the practice squad if he doesn't turn heads in training camp.

18. Who is the breakout player? Last year it was Gipson.

I really like Scott Solomon to break out and cement himself as one of our core players. I loved the way he played the last two games of the season when he got his chance.

19. Who is the veteran player that will be our shocking cut?

If he doesn't have a good showing in training camp or the preseason I could honestly see Barkevious Mingo getting cut or traded. He has a lot of competition for his position between Nate Orchard, Scott Solomon and Armonty Bryant. If not Mingo, any one of our defensive lineman could be cut, whether it be Starks, Winn or even Phil Taylor. A lot of competition at defensive line too. Not sure that we'll keep 8 or 9 on the final roster.

1. Will one of our RB's become our franchise back and if so who will it be?

- None of them will. All of them are average and will split carries.

2. Who wins the RG position Grecco or Erving?

- Greco wins the position. Erving backs up all of the OL spots until Mack leaves.

3. Will we have a probowl TE or receiver at the end of the year and if so who will it be?

- Not a chance

4. Opening day who is our blind side pass rushing OLB?

- Starting OLBs will be Kruger and Mingo. Orchard rotates.

5. Which undrafted rookie steps up and shocks the world?

- I'll say none this year. We lucked out enough last year with Williams/Gabriel.

6. What rookie draft pick face plants and doesnt make the team?

- Vince Mayle. Strange pick IMO.

7. Will Johnny show enough in camp to create a QB competition?

- No he won't. He simply isn't good enough to be an NFL QB.

8. Who will be our leading receiver in yards and TDS?

- Hawkins will have 800 yards and Hartline will have 5 TDs

9. IS our kicker on our roster now or will we be waiver wire waiting?

- We'll be waiver wiring

10. Will Pryor be WR, TE, QB, or burger flipper?

- He'll bounce around a few more times this year ... but won't make our team

11. Will McCown be the man? if not in what week do you expect his true nature to be exposed?

- I'll say he goes 1-5 and we try Johnny ... who fails as well. Drafting a QB in 2016.

12. Will our rookie OC be a big hit, big miss or still a big question at the end of the year?

- Big question at the end of the year ... still no QB ... tough to tell and OC

13. What will be the Browns divisional record and will this team be train wreck, middle of the pack hoping for last wildcard birth, or making plans for hosting in January?

- Division record: 1-5 ... Overall record: 4-12

14. Where will we rank in passing and rushing at the end of the year?

- Passing: 29th per usual ... Rushing: 17th

15. Browns run defense and pass defense with the new additions and finally healthy where will they rank 1-5 5-13- 14-22 or 23-32?

-Rushing D: 14-22 ... Passing D: 5-13

16. Who will be our punt and kick returners?

- Punt Returner: Benjamin ... Kickoff Returner: Duke Johnson

17. What game will be the most shocking win and what game will be the most infuriating loss?

- Shocking win: Broncos at home ... Worst loss: Raiders at home

18. Who is the breakout player? Last year it was Gipson

- This year? I'll say Gilbert improves greatly

19. Who is the veteran player that will be our shocking cut?

- Phil Taylor

20. Lastly, you are GM what 1 move or trade would you attempt to make before opening weekend?

- Is it possible to trade for Aaron Rodgers? No? Okay, I'll settle for Andrew Luck

1. Will one of our RB's become our franchise back and if so who will it be?



2. Who wins the RG position Grecco or Erving?

I like all our starting 5 linemen from last year, but I think Erving has a special football IQ for a lineman. I would prefer he took over for Schwartz, but I understand keeping him inside if the long-term plan is as Mack's repacement. He will be in the starting lineup I think.

3. Will we have a probowl TE or receiver at the end of the year and if so who will it be?



4. Opening day who is our blind side pass rushing OLB?

Armonty.

5. Which undrafted rookie steps up and shocks the world?

I don't think any of them will shock the world... I think Lundy will be fun to watch in preseason. I don't see one that's not an OL making the roster, except *maybe* Bibbs. I don't know anything about this William & Mary LB, so I'm going to say him.

6. What rookie draft pick face plants and doesnt make the team?

Excluding Telfer and IEO, who are expected to start on PUP, if I had to pick one it would be Gaines, just because of the depth at the position.

7. Will Johnny show enough in camp to create a QB competition?



8. Who will be our leading receiver in yards and TDS?



9. IS our kicker on our roster now or will we be waiver wire waiting?

yeah, they'll keep one of these two.

10. Will Pryor be WR, TE, QB, or burger flipper?

QB or not QB? That is the question.

I think WR.

11. Will McCown be the man? if not in what week do you expect his true nature to be exposed?

We play the best group of corners in the league Week 1.

12. Will our rookie OC be a big hit, big miss or still a big question at the end of the year?

With McCown and Manziel, I feel like he is in a tough spot to start... especially if he tries to get cute and pass a lot. He's a former QB coach and he is on a team that has to run the ball. I certainly don't think he doesn't know that, but you never know how people will stick to a plan in adversity.

13. What will be the Browns divisional record and will this team be train wreck, middle of the pack hoping for last wildcard birth, or making plans for hosting in January?

3-3, 6-10.

14. Where will we rank in passing and rushing at the end of the year?

30th, 12th

15. Browns run defense and pass defense with the new additions and finally healthy where will they rank 1-5 5-13- 14-22 or 23-32?

14-22, 5-13

16. Who will be our punt and kick returners?

PR: Rabbit
KR: Gilbert

17. What game will be the most shocking win and what game will be the most infuriating loss?

Win: @Pitt
Loss: Home v. CIN to eliminate a realistic shot at the playoffs.

18. Who is the breakout player? Last year it was Gipson

Armonty

19. Who is the veteran player that will be our shocking cut?

Most likely a DL, I thought a bit about Billy Winn or Des Bryant, but I'm going with Starks. The signing reminds me a lot of Nate Burleson last year.

20. Lastly, you are GM what 1 move or trade would you attempt to make before opening weekend?

A DL for a WR to a team that has opposite depth... maybe Billy Winn for Robert Woods or Davante Adams or Antwan Goodley/Devin Street or Allen Hurns or Marquess Wilson.

I just have to say this is a great thread! It's the dead zone and it gives us all a chance to think about a lot of issues the team will be looking at moving forward.

Tashaun Gipson

Wow

bad blood. they were pimping poyer. maybe not cut but traded? and it would be a shocking cut.

No to all...

Seriously, I will answer all a bit lata....:)
So hold on to your hats!

I hadn't even considered West but that's a good possibility.

1. Will one of our RB's become our franchise back and if so who will it be?

None of our RB's bring the whole package, IMO; its a RB-by-committee situation, so I'll say no.

2. Who wins the RG position Grecco or Erving?

Greco. Erving will be groomed to replace Mack and, secondarily, to backup LT and RT.

3. Will we have a probowl TE or receiver at the end of the year and if so who will it be?

No.

4. Opening day who is our blind side pass rushing OLB?

Armonty Bryant.

5. Which undrafted rookie steps up and shocks the world?

No idea

6. What rookie draft pick face plants and doesnt make the team?

Mayle, if he can't catch the football.

7. Will Johnny show enough in camp to create a QB competition?

He'd better, or it will have been two straight years where he couldn't supplant a ham 'n egger veteran backup.

8. Who will be our leading receiver in yards and TDS?

Andrew Hawkins, 4-5 TDs, 800 yds.

9. Is our kicker on our roster now or will we be waiver wire waiting?

Murderleg is your kicker until Murderleg says otherwise. Because, come on ... he's Murderleg.

10. Will Pryor be WR, TE, QB, or burger flipper?

Pryor will see snaps as WR AND as QB.

11. Will McCown be the man? if not in what week do you expect his true nature to be exposed?

He will be the starter, not "the Man", and he faces a stiff test in his first game against the Jets defense, with maybe the best secondary in the league.

12. Will our rookie OC be a big hit, big miss or still a big question at the end of the year?

He'll have mixed results if only because of our lack of playmakers at skill positions. I expect he'll show enough to keep his job, though.

13. What will be the Browns divisional record and will this team be train wreck, middle of the pack hoping for last wildcard birth, or making plans for hosting in January?

2-4 in the AFCN, 6-10 best case scenario, more likely 4-12, 5-11.

14. Where will we rank in passing and rushing at the end of the year?

Bottom third passing; 10-15 rushing

15. Browns run defense and pass defense with the new additions and finally healthy where will they rank 1-5 5-13- 14-22 or 23-32?

Run 23-32; Pass 5-13

16. Who will be our punt and kick returners?

PR - Duke Johnson; KR - Justin Gilbert

17. What game will be the most shocking win and what game will be the most infuriating loss?

Shocking win will be any win at Pitt or Baltimore, if it happens. Infuriating loss will be any loss to Pitt or Baltimore in our house, when it happens.

18. Who is the breakout player? Last year it was Gipson

On defense, Justin Gilbert. On offense, Duke Johnson. On ST, you better believe it, Murderleg.

19. Who is the veteran player that will be our shocking cut?

Maybe not all that shocking, but I'll say Travis Benjamin.

20. Lastly, you are GM what 1 move or trade would you attempt to make before opening weekend?

I'm on the phone yesterday trying to coax Kyle Orton out of retirement. He used his option to void his 2015 contract with the Bills after posting 3082 yds passing, with 18 TD and 10 Int, and a passer rating of 87.9. He's 32 years old.

No, they will all do well though.


Grecco, Erving will be RT


No.


Mingo


One of the WRs


None


Yes.


Somewhere over the Dwayne Bowe


Yes.


Burger Flipper.


No. Preseason.


Big Hit, though he will get more credit than he is due.


3-3. Hoping for last wildcard.


Passing 25th. Rushing 3rd.


1-5.


Duke Johnson.


Win = Week 10 Pukesburg. Loss = Week 12 Ratbirds


Mingo


Phil Taylor (I couldn't think of anyone)


Draft pick for WR and/or TE.

jc;

Crowell

Erving. I like Greco (no extra "C" people), but I hope our first rounder can unseat him and learn directly next to Mack in case he leaves. I think Greco's salary get drastically cut too if not starting.

Umm, no.

Orchard

Based on probability, none of them.

Gaines

'Competition' is a POV. Right, pblack?

Hartline

Yes, the kid from Cleveland.

Not optimistic about this one.

If the man means starting the season, then yes. I won't go much more beyond that.

With McCown, it seems tough that he'll be a big hit, but I think he will inspire confidence for the future.

We always seem to split w/ Cincy....I say middle of the pack.

Towards the bottom 1/3 in passing, middle 1/3 in rushing.

Both middle of the pack.

Punt-Benjamin. Kick- Duke Johnson

Shocking-- Pitt @ Pitt. Infuriating-- Week 1. As it will be one we let slip through our hands against a bad QB.

Orchard

Picking three-- Des Bryant, Terrence West, or Travis Benjamin.

Try for Bradford again.

1. Will one of our RB's become our franchise back and if so who will it be?

I think Crowell could be something special if he learns to hang onto the ball. I worry about West in terms of having the brains and heart to make it in the NFL.

2. Who wins the RG position Grecco or Erving?

I think Erving starts out at RG with an eventual move to RT or C.

3. Will we have a probowl TE or receiver at the end of the year and if so who will it be?

No.

4. Opening day who is our blind side pass rushing OLB?

Mingo or Orchard.

5. Which undrafted rookie steps up and shocks the world?

The TE and WR positions are open for the taking.

7. Will Johnny show enough in camp to create a QB competition?

If you're looking at a handful of subpar QB's, there's almost a certainty of a camp competition.

8. Who will be our leading receiver in yards and TDS?

Hartline

9. IS our kicker on our roster now or will we be waiver wire waiting?

I'd guess we sign a vet.

10. Will Pryor be WR, TE, QB, or burger flipper?

#5 WR/gadget guy if he makes the team.

11. Will McCown be the man? if not in what week do you expect his true nature to be exposed?

I think he'll only be as good as our run game. I don't expect a whole lot.

12. Will our rookie OC be a big hit, big miss or still a big question at the end of the year?

I'd say question mark. Hard to judge when we have the QB's and WR's we do.

13. What will be the Browns divisional record and will this team be train wreck, middle of the pack hoping for last wildcard birth, or making plans for hosting in January?

Let's say 3-3.

14. Where will we rank in passing and rushing at the end of the year?

I expect an anemic offense.


15. Browns run defense and pass defense with the new additions and finally healthy where will they rank 1-5 5-13- 14-22 or 23-32?

I think the defense is poised for success, so long as the offense can get them breathers.

16. Who will be our punt and kick returners?

No clue.

17. What game will be the most shocking win and what game will be the most infuriating loss?

Opening day loss to the Jets, December win over Seattle.

18. Who is the breakout player? Last year it was Gipson

Crowell.

19. Who is the veteran player that will be our shocking cut?

Mingo or Taylor

20. Lastly, you are GM what 1 move or trade would you attempt to make before opening weekend?

Try and find a backup QB with a mid-round pick.

FYI

I see a few Taylor or Bryant cuts suggested.

Bryant costs $3M in dead money to cut.

Taylor costs $5.5M in dead money to cut.

I guess it doesn't make all that much a difference this year, but it saves the Browns money next year ($1M) while paying the same contract amount to Bryant. Still, not that much a difference.