Cleveland Browns 2011 Super Awesome In-Season Thread

• Commander of Awesome

  

  I wouldn't cry over that draft, though I think with that draft we would have wasted both of our 6th round picks.
• BR1986FB

  Not normally of the mindset to pick up castoff's of the team that the new head coach just came from but this guy was just released and might be worth a look...
  
  http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/stats?playerId=8480
• buck

  BR1986FB;683398 wrote:Not normally of the mindset to pick up castoff's of the team that the new head coach just came from but this guy was just released and might be worth a look...
  
  http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/stats?playerId=8480

  
  i think he would be good pick up next to tj ward.
• OQB

  

  I wanted them to get him last off season.....
• zach24oz

  Or adding Bob Sanders may not be too bad either haha How about the possibility of the Defensive backfield of: Joe Haden, TJ Ward, Sheldon Brown, Patrick Peterson(if they pick him at 7) and Bob Sanders(FA)? Not too shaby
• BR1986FB

  Keep in mind that Cleveland native, Donte Whitner, will also be a FA and he has ties to Jauron.
• buck

  the browns have a hitter in tj. would the browns be better off by getting a ball hawk safety?
• BR1986FB

  buck;683716 wrote:the browns have a hitter in tj. would the browns be better off by getting a ball hawk safety?

  
  Good point. Ward couldn't catch a cold if it were injected into him. Dude dropped, I think, 3 or 4 pick 6's.
• Commander of Awesome

  

  I still remember his drop of flacco's first pass in the baltimore game. That was the game changer.
• BR1986FB

  Commander of Awesome;683812 wrote:I still remember his drop of flacco's first pass in the baltimore game. That was the game changer.

  
  Not that it mattered but didn't he drop one from Roethlisberger in their first meeting?
• OQB

  

  Since were talking about safeties, What ever happened to mike doss?
• zach24oz

  ^^ Pretty sure injuries and if I remember right, Bob Sanders happened. Doss got hurt and along come Bobby...think that's what happened.
• OQB

  

  So he's not even playing anymore?
• BR1986FB

  Doss last played for the Bengals in 2008.
• buck

  http://www.dawgsbynature.com/2011/2/19/2003019/position-by-position-breakdown-of-browns-base-salary-figures
  Position-by-Position Breakdown of Browns' Base Salary Figures
• BR1986FB

  http://cle.scout.com/2/1049463.html
  
  http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2011/02/would_the_cleveland_browns_hav.html
  
  About the Browns...
  
  1. Could Phil Dawson be back as the kicker in 2011? It is possible. The front office is interested. They know Dawson remains one of the NFL's most underrated kickers. They also know he put his Cleveland-area house up for sale, and believes he was not treated fairly by some of the other previous regimes. Dawson thought his contract would have been reworked at some point in the last few seasons. But in each of the last three years, the Browns had different front offices in charge: Phil Savage (2008), Eric Mangini (2009), Tom Heckert/Mike Holmgren (2010).
  
  2. With Dawson being a free agent and the labor situation unclear, the Browns' only kicker since 1999 believes he will be elsewhere next season. But the Browns seem prepared to make Dawson another offer -- once there is a new labor agreement. Obviously, all of that can change. But Heckert and the new coaching staff do seem to have a real appreciation for Dawson's ability to make kicks in Cleveland's cold temperatures and tricky winds.
  
  3. Another free agent they want to keep is Seneca Wallace. Their sales pitch to the backup quarterback is this: A) We are switching to the West Coast offense, which is your offense. B) We know you and like you. C) You are backing up a young quarterback in Colt McCoy, and you could be needed if he's hurt or some other problem arises. D) This is the best place to continue your career, unless you are given a true chance to start elsewhere.
  
  4. As of now (and it could change with the new labor agreement), the unrestricted free agents are Matt Roth, Alex Smith, Robaire Smith, Nick Sorensen, Porkchop Womack, Billy Yates, Dawson and Wallace. Restricted are Blake Costanzo, Evan Moore, Eric Wright, Abe Elam, Jayme Mitchell, Derrick Robinson, Chansi Stuckey, Jason Trusnik, Lawrence Vickers and D'Qwell Jackson. These lists are all subject to change.
  
  5. The Browns say Montario Hardesty is close to 100 percent after his knee surgery. He would be able to take part in all the minicamps, drills, etc. They know that there is a risk of further injury, but believe he can be a big-time back (especially combined with Peyton Hillis) in the West Coast offense. He was not used much to catch passes at Tennessee, but the Browns believe he can do that here -- much as Hillis did last season.
  
  6. The Browns will look for a running back lower in the draft, or perhaps a veteran in free agency. They know they need depth.
  
  7. The early medical reports on D'Qwell Jackson's recovery from his pectoral surgery are positive. Jackson had surgery on his left pectoral in 2009, and his right one in 2010. It's hard to know if he can stay healthy. But the Browns believe he is better suited for the 4-3 defense than the 3-4 Jackson played starting in 2006. They would not pay big money for a guy who has missed most of the last two seasons, but they do have an interest in bringing him back for the right price.
  
  8. While former Green Bay head coach Ray Rhodes was hired as the defensive "special assistant," the team says coordinator Dick Jauron who will run the defense. Rhodes and Jauron worked together in Green Bay in 1992-93. They are friends and both have the same approach to the 4-3 defense. Rhodes also worked on Holmgren's staff in Seattle from 2003-07. The idea is for lots of experience on the defensive side of the ball.
  
  9. The front office knows with rookie head coach Pat Shurmur calling plays, the defense needs strong leadership. The Browns mention that Andy Reid (Philadelphia), Sean Peyton (New Orleans) and Mike McCarthy (Green Bay) are recent examples of men who became first-time head coaches but also called the plays on offense. Shurmur's play-calling and knowledge of the West Coast offense are two big reasons the Browns say he was hired.
  
  10. The only defensive coach rehired was defensive backs coach Jerome Henderson. He did play for Rhodes in 1995 with the Eagles. But the real reason he remained is the front office was impressed with how he worked with rookies T.J. Ward and Joe Haden. Yes, the Browns are open to adding more help in the secondary, especially another safety.
  
  11. Let's hope this is true about linebacker Marcus Benard. Profootballfocus.com wrote: "[Benard] was quietly one of the league's most productive pass rushers. He had 34 combined pressures in just 255 snaps, a rate of 1 in 7.5 rushes -- almost identical to Clay Matthews' ratio of one per 7.53 rushes for Green Bay. Benard could be next year's Cameron Wake if the Browns decide to play him full time."
  
  12. This from the same Web site on Chris Gocong, projected as the middle linebacker next season: "The transition from a 4-3 OLB to a 3-4 ILB isn't always the easiest one, but Gocong pulled it off. After being a little below average in everything in his last year with the Eagles, he became a dominant force on the Browns defense as a run stopper. He was able to get pressure on 14 percent of his pass rushes, and was strong in terms of pass defense as he only allowed 21 catches all year."
  
  13. I will be speaking at Stow Library on Tuesday at 7 p.m. about my book "What I Learned From Watching The Browns." Admission is free.
  
  http://www.cleveland.com/pluto/blog/index.ssf/2011/02/terry_plutos_talkin_about_the_29.html
• Commander of Awesome

  

  Great article BR, eases some of my concerns that the FO was going to just let all of our players just walk. I was getting nervous because we haven't heard anything about movement on signing them which I guess could be attributed to lack of a CBA. Though we did manage to sign Hodges.
• grodt

  

  I'm pretty sure as it stands we can't resign anyone so we'll have to wait and see how this whole CBA thing works out. I was surprised that Pluto think we'll resign Dawson. He's the first one I've seen that thinks that. I really don't understand why we wouldn't.
• BR1986FB

  Three newbie coaches who should succeed
  
  
  
  By Michael Martinez
  NFL writer
  Posted Feb 18, 2011
  
  The landscape is usually rocky for first-year coaches with new teams, but Jim Harbaugh, Pat Shurmur and Hue Jackson have the best chances for success. Here's why.
  
  
  While owners and players wring their hands over the possibility of a work stoppage, the business of the NFL marches on – at least until March 3, when the collective bargaining agreement ends.
  
  In the meantime, coaches do what they do best in the offseason -- meet with scouts, prepare for the Combine, work on their draft boards and hope they can hold their very necessary OTAs.
  
  The newly hired head coaches? Guys like Pat Shurmur and Jim Harbaugh, who will take over the Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers, are new to their jobs, making their assignments more difficult. They might lose valuable offseason workout time with their players if there’s an extended lockout.
  
  There are six new head coaches in the league, discounting Jason Garrett with the Dallas Cowboys and Leslie Frazier with the Minnesota Vikings, both of whom took over at midseason. So who’s got the best chance to succeed among the newbies? Here are the three we think will have an impact:
  
  
  Jim Harbaugh, San Francisco 49ers
  
  Hotly pursued by a number of teams, Harbaugh opted to keep his commute short and moved from Stanford to Santa Clara, Calif. The team he inherits hasn’t reached the playoffs since 2002, it but certainly has the weapons to win the NFC West. All he needs to do is find a quarterback, a pass-rushing linebacker and some help in the secondary (the draft may help in one or two areas). Harbaugh brought many of his Stanford coaches with him, but defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is an NFL veteran. The big question Harbaugh must answer is whether a college coach can win at the NFL level. None has in the past.
  
  Pat Shurmur, Cleveland Browns
  
  Browns president Mike Holmgren is something of a king maker, having hired Andy Reid, Jon Gruden, Steve Mariucci and others who coached in the NFL. Shurmur, 45, had no connection to Holmgren, but he worked with GM Tom Heckert for eight years. He spent the past two seasons as the St. Louis Rams offensive coordinator and helped develop quarterback Sam Bradford. Can he do the same with Colt McCoy? The Browns have just one playoff appearance in the past 13 seasons and ranked 29th in offense last season but showed flickering signs of improvement. Shurmur will work without an offensive coordinator, handling that task himself. That’s not a wise decision, but if he can pull it off, the Browns might be on their way to recovery.
  
  Hue Jackson, Oakland Raiders
  
  The Raiders enjoyed a significant improvement on offense this season, scoring 410 points (sixth in the league) after totaling just 197 in 2009. Much of the credit went to Jackson, the team’s offensive coordinator, who took over playcalling duties from head coach Tom Cable. When owner Al Davis dismissed Cable, who led the team to an 8-8 record, Jackson was the presumed successor. Jackson got capable play from QB Jason Campbell, who was benched twice but still completed 59 percent of his passes and had an 84.5 passer rating. If oft-injured running back Darren McFadden can produce another season like this last one (1,664 yards from scrimmage, 10 touchdowns), the Raiders should be favorites in the AFC West. Having DE Richard Seymour back will support a defense that ranked 11th in the league in yards allowed.
  
  Not on our list: Mike Munchak, Tennessee Titans; Ron Rivera, Carolina Panthers; John Fox, Denver Broncos. Combined, their teams went 12-36 this season. All three have significant quarterback questions, which is no way to start a new
  
  http://bleacherreport.com/tb/b8f1l
• OQB

  

  That's an interesting read....
• Sonofanump

  From a first look at the U & R free agents:
  
  Yes:
  Lawrence Vickers-R
  
  If price is right:
  Phil Dawson
  Seneca Wallace-U
  Nick Sorensen-U
  Robaire Smith-U
  
  IDK-Matt Roth-U
  Evan Moore-R
  Blake Costanzo-R
  Eric Wright-R
  Abe Elam-R
  
  Filler:
  Chansi Stuckey-R
  Jason Trusnik-R
  
  No:
  D'Qwell Jackson
  Porkchop Womack
  
  Who:
  Billy Yates
  Alex Smith
  Jayme Mitchell
  Derrick Robinson
• OQB

  

  I'd keep Evan Moore....dude is a great WR/TE that has great hands.....could do really well in the WCO.
• BR1986FB

  Sonofanump;686101 wrote:From a first look at the U & R free agents:
  
  Yes:
  Lawrence Vickers-R
  
  If price is right:
  Phil Dawson
  Seneca Wallace-U
  Nick Sorensen-U
  Robaire Smith-U
  
  IDK-Matt Roth-U
  Evan Moore-R
  Blake Costanzo-R
  Eric Wright-R
  Abe Elam-R
  
  Filler:
  Chansi Stuckey-R
  Jason Trusnik-R
  
  No:
  D'Qwell Jackson
  Porkchop Womack
  
  Who:
  Billy Yates
  Alex Smith
  Jayme Mitchell
  Derrick Robinson

  
  They can let Matt Roth go for all I care. He was underwhelming as a DE for Miami. I doubt they let Jayme Mitchell walk after claiming he was "their best pass rusher who Mangini never played." I'd also keep Abe Elam for the right price. There's a few more on that list that I'd also keep.
  
  Was kinda pissed to see the Vikings franchised Chad Greenway.
• OneBuckeye

  

  Abe Elam, do not like. I hope his spot is filled in the draft or FA.
• BR1986FB

  I thought Elam was fairly solid last year compared to his first year.