Receivers who can run routes precisely, and catch consistently, are vital to the success of a WCO.
Bennett has had a little success in Chicago. He has experience in the WCO, having played under Tresman last year, as well as his 1st 2 seasons in the NFL. He's an off receiver, but he is a veteran, and that can't hurt in a camp that will be dominated by very young receivers.
Didn't realize he's only 27. I still want to look at Santonio Holmes, Miles Austin and Danario Alexander. I think with a healthy Austin and motivated Holmes our WR core would become at least average instead of awful.
Quote: Didn't realize he's only 27. I still want to look at Santonio Holmes, Miles Austin and Danario Alexander. I think with a healthy Austin and motivated Holmes our WR core would become at least average instead of awful.
Scratch Danario Alexander. I like the kid a lot. Saw a few of his games while at Missouri. Kid is damaged goods. Operations on both knees he is lucky he can still walk. He won't make a season. Come December...it wouldn't be pretty.
I don't think Farmer will be able to replace Gordon picking up receivers off the waiver wire. He will need to make a big trade. I hope he stays clear. We should know by years end whether Johnny or Brian is our QB. Address the issue next year in the draft drafting the best scheme complementary receiver.
Earl is more like what we thought Bess would bring last year. YTown gave a good assessment Bennett being more a WCO. Mixing Earl with Benjamin and Hawkins provides a good mix at the receiver position.
All three of these guys became castoffs, so it is their time to step and make a name for themselves. Add Little to the mix too. Competition between Little and Bennett should be interesting it'll be make or break for both.
IMO, adding Bennett stabilizes the receiver corp. You won't compare this group to New Orleans or Denver, but it is every bit as good if not better than the Jets who finished .500 last year. With the upgrade at RB, Browns offense will have solid balance for scoring points.
I don't think anyone will trade a true #1 receiver prior to the season.. regardless of what is REASONABLY offered. Best bet may be to pick up Miles Austin as a FA. Austin, Burleson, Hawkins would make a very good starting lineup and 3 veterans to work with Manziel...
We might sign one late for a 1 year contract...they all are dreaming about that mega multi year contract still. Got to wait. Of course we know how important the position of WR is so those guys should get an amazing Multi year contract soon ...
Quote: I don't think anyone will trade a true #1 receiver prior to the season.. regardless of what is REASONABLY offered. Best bet may be to pick up Miles Austin as a FA. Austin, Burleson, Hawkins would make a very good starting lineup and 3 veterans to work with Manziel...
I disagree. I think the Browns are ok at receiver. Unlearn what you have learned. Norv Turner is no more. Switch your thinking to play action, bubble screens, and slants.
Who on the Browns make s perfect blocker setting up a bubble screen? Little? Bennett? What does Johnny Football do well? Who makes a pretty good receiver in open space? Hawkens? Benjamin? Burelson?
Switch your offensive mind set to Chip Kelly. Wait a minute...isn't that who Haslam wanted last year but was turned down? Oh how the world turns!!!
Quote: I don't think anyone will trade a true #1 receiver prior to the season.. regardless of what is REASONABLY offered. Best bet may be to pick up Miles Austin as a FA. Austin, Burleson, Hawkins would make a very good starting lineup and 3 veterans to work with Manziel...
I disagree. I think the Browns are ok at receiver. Unlearn what you have learned. Norv Turner is no more. Switch your thinking to play action, bubble screens, and slants.
Who on the Browns make s perfect blocker setting up a bubble screen? Little? Bennett? What does Johnny Football do well? Who makes a pretty good receiver in open space? Hawkens? Benjamin? Burelson?
Switch your offensive mind set to Chip Kelly. Wait a minute...isn't that who Haslam wanted last year but was turned down? Oh how the world turns!!!
Actually Chip Kelly runs a spread offense based off of a west coast offense. Sumlin ran his spread off of an air raid offense. So they're not really the same thing even though they look similar.
Quote: Actually Chip Kelly runs a spread offense based off of a west coast offense. Sumlin ran his spread off of an air raid offense. So they're not really the same thing even though they look similar.
Chip uses a run base spread. Not at first but later I thought Shurmur was a prefect fit. Chip mixing his run game with Shurmur's WCO passing schemes, see Rams during Bradford's rookie year, is a nice combination.
Shanahan, I assume, will use a similar concept he used in Washington. He may integrate more of Chip's run game with the number of RB's Cleveland has on board.
Browns sign Earl Bennett and Elhadji Ndiaye Posted 5 minutes ago
Clevelandbrowns.com @Browns Facebook BEREA, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns on Thursday signed veteran WR Earl Bennett and undrafted free agent DL Elhadji Ndiaye. General Manager Ray Farmer made the announcement.
Bennett, a 5-11, 209-pound veteran, enters his seventh NFL season out of Vanderbilt. Originally a third-round (70th overall) draft pick by Chicago, Bennett has appeared in 78 games with 29 starts all with the Bears. He has totaled 185 receptions for 2,277 yards with 12 touchdowns. In 2013, he recorded 32 receptions for 243 yards with four touchdowns in 15 games.
He finished his collegiate career as the SEC’s all-time leader in receptions with 236. He logged 2,852 receiving yards with 20 touchdowns and set school records for receiving yards in a game (223), touchdown receptions in a game (five) and games with 10 or more receptions (nine). A native of Birmingham, Ala., Bennett graduated from West End High School.
Ndiaye, pronounced ee-LIE-juh JIE (rhymes with tie), joins a group of 11 undrafted free agents signed by the Browns Monday.
Born in Senegal, the 6-4, 265-pound Ndiaye attended Nebraska-Kearney, where he led the team with six sacks in 2013. He attended New Utrecht High School in Brooklyn and transferred to Nebraska-Kearney after playing basketball at Grossmont (Calif.) College. His younger brother, Dame, is a defensive lineman at Portland State.
Quote: I don't think anyone will trade a true #1 receiver prior to the season.. regardless of what is REASONABLY offered. Best bet may be to pick up Miles Austin as a FA. Austin, Burleson, Hawkins would make a very good starting lineup and 3 veterans to work with Manziel...
I disagree. I think the Browns are ok at receiver. Unlearn what you have learned. Norv Turner is no more. Switch your thinking to play action, bubble screens, and slants.
Who on the Browns make s perfect blocker setting up a bubble screen? Little? Bennett? What does Johnny Football do well? Who makes a pretty good receiver in open space? Hawkens? Benjamin? Burelson?
Switch your offensive mind set to Chip Kelly. Wait a minute...isn't that who Haslam wanted last year but was turned down? Oh how the world turns!!!
I agree Bugs....nice post. Just as us fans call for coaching needing to change it's thinking.....us fans need to change our thinking as well. We are gearing up for a running game and a quick strike passing attack. It's not going to be the same as it was.
I would like one, large dependable target at WR. But at least they're making an attempt to bring in some veteran leadership, so I give them credit for the attempt at any rate.
I like the idea you brought up earlier somewhere about trading for Crabtree. They seem to be pretty smart about value so I don't believe they would overpay to get him.
Quote: Good signings... says really bad things for Gordon though -- and probably also for our opinion on Little.
I know some of you were holding out hope for Gordon, but get over that....he's done, and has been done. The Browns are making the necessary adjustments to provide decent short term help.....I assume Gordon will be back in 15. If not, no biggie....we are winning 9-10 games without him.
Who doesn't. Austin is 6'2"....he is a big target. Dependable...he can catch, but he seems to miss time because of injury.
Same as Gordon really....a nice player who you can count on missing time. Austin because of injury, Gordon because of suspension. This looks to be the 2nd year in a row Gordon will miss time due to suspension. If you go back to college, who knows how many years in a row the cat hasn't been able to pass a urine test???
Sat next to a guy who was at least 60+ with a cane who didn't stop smoking grass the whole show, always passed it to me. Offered to pay for his seat to repay the favor, but he refused.
Sat next to a guy who was at least 60+ with a cane who didn't stop smoking grass the whole show, always passed it to me. Offered to pay for his seat to repay the favor, but he refused.
That was you!
Haven't smoked pot since I could buy if for $15 a oz....that was a while ago if you can't figure that out.
As for Merle.....I love his body of work and sound.....one of a kind. An American Classic
Maybe the perfect country song....crank it up and listen to a few times.....pick out different instruments.....some killer harmonica...great guitar on a couple of levels....Merles vocals..it's a great song. It makes my top 10 songs of all time, any genre.
Well I'm not a got to get this guy when it comes to WRs. but as the norm I believe in our team of destiny and the moves they are making.
1. We didn't give silly contracts out in the early stages of FA to over pay by a lot.
2. We did not draft a WR early against our draft plan due to the Gordon thing.
3. I believe the coaches feel we upgraded on Little with the Bennett signing.
4. Austin will surprise you with a lot more drops than you think - Ive watched a lot of Cowboys games a. they had a lot of National games b. my son is a big time Cowboy fan
5. I know I read as an Anti-WR guy. But if you go back to all my posts I have said over n over...a "CHAMPIONSHIP" Team needs WRs. Not necessarily an elite one but 5 solid guys who run precise routes and have good hands and will be willing to block for each other and the run game.
6. Little did the last variable well. But not consistent with the first two. Overall if you look at our WR corp. We got - Austin, Bennett, Hawkins, Burelson and a choice of a few starting with Benjamin for that 5th WR - hopefully someday we will be able to add in a clean Gordon for that 5th. If our new system - gets the flow they design from it. We got the WR corp that can flourish and win a Championship even without Gordon.
Now we have to unfortunately suffer through the GEL period of a NEW O...I can't wait till we keep one here for several years. My only big time fear is that Kyle will get a HC offer and leave us after one season. That was my fear with Norv Turner also. Hopefully we have a student of the O in our staff - maybe its Loggains? That can seamlessly keep the O going if Kyle leaves.
Tab, I feel for you. You can't even catch a break with your son being a Cowboys fan! I mean having to watch two cluster F franchises!!!!! LOL!
You and I always had same viewpoint on receivers. Someday people will see the light how it works. Every year college pumps out great receivers. So much so, you can draft specialist for different looks. You no longer need the all encompass well rounded receiver.
People can learn what we are talking about watching New England. They split the duties of a top flight receiver into several. You have multiple guys who you rotate giving different offensive looks. Philly and Seattle are two other teams incorporating this style. New Orleans is another good example.
For you fantasy football guys, look at the good passing teams you shy away from when drafting receivers. Every week a different receiver shines. Why? Coaches look for the perfect match-up and exploit.
Everyone knows this is a passing league. Defense coordinators are combating upgrading the corner back position. Offenses no longer can use two receivers to attack a defense. You see more from TE's, slot receivers, and RB's trying to overwhelm coverages. Having more specialist also forces a defense coordinator to prepare more.
Quote: I love your wishful thinking because I wish we had Earl Campbell on our roster too!
lol, the Earl's. I always hear about how good Earl Campbell was from two guys I work with (never got to see the guy play, but he sounded like a load to take down).
But yeah, Earl Bennet I mean. You're right though, it would be nice if we had Earl Campbell in his prime on this team. Then maybe Ben Tate could have someone to be afraid of in training camp, lol
J/c.... I am honestly shocked by this. With Austin and Burleson's injury history and the ret of the guys having a combined 15 or so NFL snaps, the rookies must really be showing something.
Quote: J/c.... I am honestly shocked by this. With Austin and Burleson's injury history and the ret of the guys having a combined 15 or so NFL snaps, the rookies must really be showing something.
His name escapes me...the guy brought in from Washington....word is he is looking great.
I think we just didn't see Bennett making the team over some of the others who might get cut, so as a NFL vet, give him a shot at latching on somewhere. Class move by the Browns IMO. A rook, you keep as long as you want, he has nothing else. A vet, as soon as you know he isn't going to make the team, you let him go so he has a shot to latch.
Looks like we are building a team folks. A few years ago, had we signed Bennett, he would have been looked at as some sort of savior. Now, we can bring in some of these guys, give them a fair look and make a decision.
Quote: J/c.... I am honestly shocked by this. With Austin and Burleson's injury history and the ret of the guys having a combined 15 or so NFL snaps, the rookies must really be showing something.
His name escapes me...the guy brought in from Washington....word is he is looking great.
I think we just didn't see Bennett making the team over some of the others who might get cut, so as a NFL vet, give him a shot at latching on somewhere. Class move by the Browns IMO. A rook, you keep as long as you want, he has nothing else. A vet, as soon as you know he isn't going to make the team, you let him go so he has a shot to latch.
Looks like we are building a team folks. A few years ago, had we signed Bennett, he would have been looked at as some sort of savior. Now, we can bring in some of these guys, give them a fair look and make a decision.
Here are two that caught my eye: Anthony Armstrong and Chandler Jones.
2. Armstrong is 31 and played in Kyle Shanahan's offense in Washington. In 2010, he caught 44 passes. The big deal was averaging 19.8 yards per catch. He is a legitimate deep threat, as has been obvious all during the various OTAs and minicamps. Coach Mike Pettine called Armstrong, "the ultimate pro."
Quote: Any word on that guy we got off of GBs PS a year or so ago?
still on the bike last I read. but I have read some about the guy. might be the real deal.
"Real Deal" like 80-100 catches and 15 TD's real? Or 30 catches and 3 TD's "Cleveland style" real deal? Lots of hyperbole about these UDFA's being "great". Well, there's Cleveland great and then there's NFL great....
Quote: Any word on that guy we got off of GBs PS a year or so ago?
still on the bike last I read. but I have read some about the guy. might be the real deal.
"Real Deal" like 80-100 catches and 15 TD's real? Or 30 catches and 3 TD's "Cleveland style" real deal? Lots of hyperbole about these UDFA's being "great". Well, there's Cleveland great and then there's NFL great....
not a udfa. and that's more than either Gordon or little did in collage as a WR. and guess what? didn't cost us a draft pick.
Despite Josh Gordon and Greg Little only playing 3.5 seasons in college they still managed to do better than Charles Johnson's 4 years at a Div 2 school.
Quote: Despite Josh Gordon and Greg Little only playing 3.5 seasons in college they still managed to do better than Charles Johnson's 4 years at a Div 2 school.
I rember looking up what they did in collage. neither had more than 70 catches in collage as a WR. heck I think little only had 40? Gordon 60?
oops 46 for Gordon and 62 for little as a receiver. little caught another 25 as a rb.
I'm not sure if they had the catches, but they had the yards and touchdowns (the important things). That said, Charles Johnson is a freak. He's like 6'3 220ish and runs a 4.4, but I'm not sure about his hands.
Quote: I'm not sure if they had the catches, but they had the yards and touchdowns (the important things). That said, Charles Johnson is a freak. He's like 6'3 220ish and runs a 4.4, but I'm not sure about his hands.
Charles Johnson 72 receptions for 1,199 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior. Johnson is one of the draft's most gifted athletes, and his blend of size and speed has scouts intrigued."
Summary: Gordon is an interesting athlete who looked like he was on the cusp of turning into a good pro prospect. He caught four passes for 65 yards as a freshman in 2009. Gordon served as a nice complementary receiver to Kendall Wright in 2010. Quarterback Robert Griffin III went primarily to Wright, but Gordon was a solid contributor as a sophomore. He totaled 42 receptions for 714 yards and seven touchdowns.
looks to me that Johnson had as many TDs as both combined? in just one year!!!!!!!
18 touchdowns for Josh (7) and Greg (11) combined. Also, we're acting like Josh and Greg were both not suspended for multiple seasons at their colleges, so any stat line is rather pointless. Not to mention CJ still played at a FCS so his stats are rather inflated.
Quote: 18 touchdowns for Josh (7) and Greg (11) combined. Also, we're acting like Josh and Greg were both not suspended for multiple seasons at their colleges, so any stat line is rather pointless. Not to mention CJ still played at a FCS so his stats are rather inflated.
I will agree that collage stats are worthless in the nfl but..... your the one that brought it up. I just did the 1 year with him and you said it was only half a season different... now its another excuse....
Wow, I never thought this would happen. Then again he was let go from Chicago. I understand they have better starters, but I guess Pettine and Farmer is saying Bennett has lost some too.
I believe somebody will pop before start of season.
I am surprised Grossi has not posted an article about how Farmer failed to get Watkins or some other receiver in this last draft. Maybe we will see something in the morning. He tweeted earlier today he was taking a break for a week reporting on the Browns.
Not sure how much "correcting" you did. He posted stats that corrected your correcting. LOL
Anyway, here is a comment from Mary Kay. The full article is on the Gordon thread.
Quote: Chandler Jones, the undrafted rookie from San Jose State has caught some eyes in camp. He's on the small side (5-9, 185) but has been making plays. Jonathan Krause, an undrafted rookie from Vanderbilt has also been active. Others, such as Willie Sneak from Ball State, have been sidelined with injuries and haven't made an impact yet.
I don't know what's going on, but they better hope Charles Johnson really steps it up, Burrelson stays healthy, and Hawkins is the freak they think he is. After that, there is a whole lot of nothing.
Even if you want to look at the WR group w/homer eyes, there are way more questions than answers. Combine that w/the fact that our two QBs have very little or no NFL game experience and there is cause for concern.
As I said before, Anthony Armstrong has experience and has shown the ability to gain yardage in chunks. I also wouldn't say that Miles Austin is mostly nothing.
LOL
