Cleveland Browns Offseason Talk

• BR1986FB

  Writerbuckeye;379318 wrote:Bleacherreport is hilarious.

  
  Agree. When I saw the title of it, I HAD to post it because I thought it was funny. Significantly improved? Yes, but playoffs? C'mon....
• BR1986FB

  Until he proves otherwise, Robiskie was a MAJOR reach where he was selected. That being said, I think he's going to have a breakout year this season. He's worked his ass off and is night & day compared to last year.
• pkebker

  BR1986FB;379504 wrote:Until he proves otherwise, Robiskie was a MAJOR reach where he was selected. That being said, I think he's going to have a breakout year this season. He's worked his ass off and is night & day compared to last year.

  
  I agree. Until I see results on the field, Robiskie is still a bust. I don't care how good he looks in shorts, I want to see him perform on gameday, then I'll jump on the Robiskie bandwagon...
• Writerbuckeye

  

  pkebker;379539 wrote:I agree. Until I see results on the field, Robiskie is still a bust. I don't care how good he looks in shorts, I want to see him perform on gameday, then I'll jump on the Robiskie bandwagon...

  
  Too early to declare a WR a bust. If he's not contributing to this team in a positive way by the end of next year, then he's a bust. I fully expect him to be productive this season, however, and don't believe he was a reach. He was projected as a second round pick and there were reports of teams right behind Cleveland ready to snatch him up if they hadn't.
  
  If he ends up not contributing, then yes, go ahead and declare him a bust. But he wasn't a reach, given all the draft info we were being told before and on draft day.
• pkebker

  Up to this point, he has been a bust. He was our top second round pick, a player drafted that high should be able to contribute, and at least dress for games. I'm not saying his entire career will be a bust, he still has a chance to turn it around. But up to this point, he absolutely has been a bust.
• kayo

  From the Cantonrep.com article cited earlier...
  

  BR1986FB;376443 wrote:Playoffs? The Eagles were 6-4 in postseason games started by Brown. Six playoff wins reflect well on Brown in his new city, which has seen four NFL playoff wins in the last 40 years.

  
  I know the Browns have won more than four playoff games over the past 40 years - are they talking about HOME playoff wins?
• Fabio

  I'll be honest, I'm really looking forward to seeing the Browns defense this year especially with what Rob Ryan did with them last year, especially the final few games.
• BR1986FB

  As far as Robiskie goes, way too early to deem him a bust. Usually takes around 3 years before you can determine that. Regardless of what the pundits previously projected him at, he WAS a reach. Hell, right now MoMass is a much better receiver and HE was a reach where we took him.
• Mohican00

  

  kayo;379644 wrote:From the Cantonrep.com article cited earlier...
  
  
  
  I know the Browns have won more than four playoff games over the past 40 years - are they talking about HOME playoff wins?

  
  Nope
  
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Cleveland_Browns_seasons
• BR1986FB

  Mohican...I like your sig at the bottom.
• Mohican00

  

  aye, thanks br
• sleeper

  

  Robiskie was a reach, no doubt, but I'm going to give him another season or two before he gets labeled a bust.
• Al Capone

  sleeper;378100 wrote:Honestly, I'll be disappointed if the Browns don't make the playoffs this year. We've added some great pieces and actually have a somewhat competent QB this year as well as a MUCH improved secondary.

  
  This has to be one of the funniest things I've ever read on here. LOL
• Al Capone

  BR1986FB;379039 wrote:I think Baltimore will finish 11-5 with Cincy in 2nd and the Browns & Steelers fighting for the cellar.

  
  This is a close 2nd. Anyone that thinks the Steelers dont have a chance to win this division needs their head examined. In game #5 you clown fans will find out.
• royal_k

  

  Al Capone;379872 wrote:This is a close 2nd. Anyone that thinks the Steelers dont have a chance to win this division needs their head examined. In game #5 you clown fans will find out.

  Every team has a chance dumbass
• BR1986FB

  Found this tidbit on the Jets site....
  
  “We’ve got a real good locker room and it has been that way for a few years. It all started with [former head coach Eric] Mangini and the picks and signings he made,” lineman Damien Woody said. “And it’s continued on, that feeling around here with Rex and what he adds with his bravado. It’s really good what we have here.”
  
  http://nyj.scout.com/2/974249.html
• BR1986FB

  Browns considering youth movement in secondary
  
  Could start at least a few rookies Aaron Wilson
  June 04, 2010, 11:03 AM EST
  
  
  The Cleveland Browns are contemplating the merits of instituting a youth movement in the secondary.
  
  Browns coach Eric Mangini is considering starting rookie cornerback Joe Haden.
  
  He's also not opposed to starting two rookie safeties: T.J. Ward and Larry Asante.
  
  “I’m definitely open to that," Mangini said in remarks distributed by the team. "Eugene Wilson and Asante Samuel played a lot their rookie season in New England. It just depends on where they are and there are a lot of veteran guys that are going to work to not let that happen and that’s what you’d expect.
  
  "But if they’re the best guys, you may take some lumps early because they are rookies, but typically those guys continue to move up and excel as they play and gain experience.
  
  http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Browns-considering-youth-movement-in-secondary.html
• krazie45

  

  Can you say Dixon/Minnifield: The Next Generation?
  
  Personally I love Asante. Just a hard nosed football player that makes up for lack of athleticism with a knowledge of the defense (can't have too many better college defensive mentors than Bo Pelini) and a mean streak to hit hard. Ward is just a more athletic version of the same thing. Hopefully these two guys will be lighting up receivers in the Browns' secondary for years to come.
• BR1986FB

  Good call by Pluto on DQ Jackson. On most other teams, dude is a special teamer (and this is coming from a guy, me, who was thrilled when we drafted him). The team has upgraded at his spot and he likely won't fit Mangini's scheme....
  
  Terry Pluto's Talkin' ... about the Browns' revamped backfield, the Indians' youngsters and leaders for the Cavaliers
  By Terry Pluto, The Plain Dealer
  June 06, 2010, 12:19AM
  
  CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It's summertime, and Terry's talkin' ...
  
  About the Browns...
  
  1. Coaches believe depth is the key to this season. They look at cornerback, where Eric Wright, Sheldon Brown and rookie Joe Haden are battling for two spots. They also have used Michael Adams at corner, and Brandon McDonald has received praise for his off-season work. McDonald looks good in these drills because there is no tackling, the accent is on speed. Brown and Haden are more physical cornerbacks, and they will be noticed more once tackling begins.
  
  2. But the key is the options at cornerback. They don't have to rely on McDonald and his soft tackling. They don't have to have Wright on the field for every play. If a cornerback is not fully engaged in practice or film work, he can lose playing time to someone else. They believed Wright and McDonald had developed a sense of entitlement because no one was there to take their jobs. That all has changed.
  
  3. While the Browns believe they have upgraded at safety with rookies Larry Asante and T.J. Ward, they know it remains one of the team's weak spots. That's true even if restricted free agent Abe Elam signs. Asante and Ward have not been disasters in pass coverage, but it's obvious that they are best against the run. Michael Adams is the best cover safety, but they like him as a cornerback and covering slot receivers.
  
  4. Someone needs to remind Elam that he made it from Kent State to the NFL by being a smart guy who fit into the team. He also needs to remember the main reason he has become a starter is this coaching staff believes in him and gave him that chance, first with the Jets and now with the Browns. He has started 33 games as a pro with one interception, three sacks and only seven passes broken up. He is not an impact player, and no one is going to give a restricted free agent in his position a multi-year contract.
  
  5. Linebacker is another area where the Browns seem loaded. They have two respected, legitimate leaders in Scott Fujita and David Bowens. Veteran Eric Barton is back from neck surgery, but the team won't know for certain about his recovery until the tackling begins. Chris Gocong seems made for 3-4 defense. Jason Trusnik has been starting at outside linebacker in place of Matt Roth, the restricted free agent who has not signed. Marcus Benard can rush the quarterback from OLB. The coaches say David Veikune is making progress at inside linebacker.
  
  6. The point is Roth needs to realize that playing six solid games (28 tackles, four sacks) after being claimed on waivers doesn't turn him into Jim Houston or Clay Matthews. Like Elam, he's a restricted free agent and needs to sign the one-year deal and truly establish himself. In five years, Roth has only 29 starts, never more than five sacks in a season.
  
  7. Restricted free agent D'Qwell Jackson simply needs to wake up. The Browns have Fujita, Barton, Bowens and Gocong as legitimate inside linebackers. Yes, they also can play outside. But Jackson is another who needs to sign, because he may not even start on this team. Just like what happened at cornerback to Wright and McDonald, Jackson's world has changed with all the new players who can take his job.
  
  8. On the theme of restricted free agents and depth, given Jerome Harrison credit for being the first unsigned RFA to show up for voluntary workouts. He knows the Browns really do like rookie Montario Hardesty. He knows he had only three big games at the end of last season. He knows big money will come if he can have a strong season. And the coaches love what they see from Harrison, Hardesty and Peyton Hillis in the backfield. Then there's Wildcats Joshua Cribbs and Seneca Wallace, even more power for the running game.
  
  9. One coach said, "I know people don't believe this, but Cribbs keeps working hard at being a receiver, and he'll help us there this season. Never underestimate this guy." The new contract just seems to have inspired Cribbs to work even harder.
  
  10. I mentioned Jonathan Haggerty (6-1, 195 pounds) last week as someone who impressed the coaches. That remains true. The undrafted receiver from Southwestern Oklahoma State (Division II) has been getting a lot of work. ... They also are using third-rounder Shawn Lauvao at center and guard, the idea being to turn him into a lineman such as Rex Hadnot, who could play both spots.
  
  11. The Browns keep stressing to veteran quarterback Jake Delhomme that he doesn't have to make big plays to establish himself. The job is his, just keep the team organized. Stay out of damaging plays and turnovers. Delhomme is a relentless worker, a natural leader. He knows that some people have written the end of his career at the age of 35. So far, the Browns have been pleased with him.
  
  12. In my blog from Thursday's OTA, new tight end Ben Watson was praised for his pass catching. Some fans said, "What's the big deal, he had only 29 catches for New England." Let's look deeper. Five of those catches were for touchdowns. Twenty were for first downs. He caught 29 of 41 passes thrown in his direction. He had two drops.
  
  http://www.cleveland.com/pluto/blog/index.ssf/2010/06/terry_plutos_talkin_about_the_18.html
• BR1986FB

  This story was too long to post (number of words exceeded the site's limit) so you'll have to read the link....
  
  http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2010/06/after_a_brutal_2009_a_re-energ.html
• Al Capone

  How much longer will we have to wait until Jim Brown starts airing dirty laundry about the Cleveland brass?
• jmog

  I agree wholeheartedly with Pluto about Elam, DQJackson, and the other RFAs. You guys are just holding out for more money but in the end will cost yourself money because you may just lose starting jobs and PT.
  
  Its one thing to hold out for a contract if you are a sure fire starter/impact player on the team, its totally stupid to hold out if you are a backup or are in a dog fight for a starting position.
• BR1986FB

  Cleveland Browns fullback Lawrence Vickers shows up at OTAs, but remains unsigned
  
  By Tony Grossi, The Plain Dealer
  June 07, 2010, 10:42AM
  
  BEREA, Ohio -- Fullback Lawrence Vickers, one of five unsigned restricted free agents, has joined his teammates for today's organized team activity practice, coach Eric Mangini said.
  
  Like running back Jerome Harrison, who joined the team two weeks ago, Vickers has not signed his one-year contract tender but did sign an injury waiver to enable him to participate.
  
  Three other unsigned restricted free agents remain out of OTAs -- linebacker Matt Roth, linebacker D'Qwell Jackson and safety Abram Elam.
  
  Mangini said he or his assistant coaches have communicated with the unsigned players to let them know where the team is at in its offseason installations. But the coach said they have not discussed the RFAs' plans regarding attending the mandatory minicamp beginning on Thursday.
  
  
  http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2010/06/cleveland_browns_fullback_lawr.html
• Al Capone

  Who's the coach for this fucked up team? One day Holmgren talks like he is the coach and the next day they trot out Mangini to speak. Cant wait to watch this train wreck on game day. hahaha
• Writerbuckeye

  

  That's because your team's ownership is busy on its knees, giving Obama knob slobbers so they can get appointed to some worthless diplomatic post.