More Browns Thoughts

March 12, 2010

Following up my wildly successful return to this site (3 comments and counting!) the Browns keep doing free agent stuff so I need to throw out some opinions...

Jake Delhomme: In 2006 the Indians signed a "starting pitcher" from the Tigers to fill out their rotation. His name was Jason Johnson. He had a long history of sucking. He had sucked for awhile. He sucked. Yet he had pitched in the big leagues for a few years (I don't remember how many, something like 5). He had sucked every year. He had one season that was below average. That was as good as it got. Below average. He was basically DA without the one inexplicable great year. The Indians gave him a few million dollars. The Indians are cost conscious. Instead of promoting a decent AAA arm on the cheap and hoping he treads water they signed Jason Johnson for some number of millions (3.5 million according to baseballreference.com). Do you know what the Indians got for 3.5 million dollars??? 14 GS, 3-8, 5.96 ERA. Oh and the word is everyone is the clubhouse hated him. Should this have surprised the Indians? Well, In 2005 JJ was 8-13 with a 4.54 ERA. Crappy but not horrible. In 2004 JJ was 8-15 with a 5.13 ERA. Pretty awful. Oh and the Tribe was coming off of 95 wins and a chic pick to win it all in 2006. Why didn't they? Well injuries. But moves like signing Jason Freaking Johnson to a 3.5 million dollar deal didn't help! I would have gone out and pooped the mound for like 5 grand. Bad, bad, bad, bad signing.

What does this have to do with the Browns?

Delhomme.

No, he is not Jason Johnson. Jake Delhomme is actually a pretty solid QB, historically. For a solid stretch (2003-2006) he was an upper echelon NFL starter. That's something! I mean this guy was not Jason Johnson. He was legitimately good. This is all in past tense. His numbers were d-d-d-decent in 2008. He was also covered by the NFL's best running game and threw like 47 interceptions in the Panthers' 2nd round home playoff game against a 9-7 Cardinals team.

That is a red flag.

He then came out this year and went 178-321 (55%) 2015 yard and 8 TDs to 18 INTs!

He also turned 35 last month.

The proverbial bed has been pooped.

So what is with the Jason Johnson digression? Well it is two-fold. 1) I consider Jason Johnson one of the worst moves ever made by a team I rooted for. I have thought a lot about it. For like 4 years. It was horrible. Unjustifiable at the time. Proven to be moronic. I am still bitter about it and like to vent. 2) Delhomme signing would be comparably stupid, at least on the level of "obviously bad." (It would never compare to the sheer puktastic Johnson signing. At least Delhomme was decent at some point. Also, he probably won't sign for anything near 3.5 million.)

Stay away from Delhomme.

Justin Fargas: In a perfect world, Fargas would be 27. The world isn't perfect so he is 30. However, the Raiders haven't run him ragged for the past 7 years. (827 total carries, only 2 seasons of 200 or more) Fargas has size and speed and can compliment Jerome Harrison well. He sort of reminds me of a poor man's Thomas Jones, right down to the under use earlier in the career helping to allow success in their 30s. At least I hope so for Fargas. He also would probably be willing to get paid like a poor Thomas Jones.

I think he would be a good pickup.

Ben Watson: Pleasepleasepleasepleaseplease bring this guy in (if the price is not ridiculous). He can catch passes from the tight end spot and comes from a winning organization. The Browns tight ends next year are... glorified guard Robert Royal and.. uh.. Steve Heiden? I wish. 2006 Steve Heiden with 2006 Jake Delhomme would be a great combo. Too bad it is 2010. Martin Rucker? No, no. Greg Estandia? Or however you spell it. Michael Gaines? What is your plan? Get Ben Watson!

Brady Quinn: Trading Quinn for a 4th rounder, as ESPN.com suggested could happen, would be really dumb. Quinn is cheap. He is young. There is a very real chance he could still develop into a solid NFL player. He did not thrown 10 more INTs than TDs last season (like Delhomme). In fact, he had more TDs than INTs! He is not that bad. He is at least 76 times better than DA and 4 teams supposedly want him (proving that intelligence and the ability to evaluate history and assimilate it into your thoughts and opinions have pretty much nothing to do with becoming an NFL GM).

Apparently Donovan McNabb and unproven-Tom-Heckert-fave Kevin Kolb are not available for anything less that the number 7 pick in the draft.

The free agent crop sucks at QB.

Even if you think Quinn sucks, he beats the reasonable alternatives.

He could still be decent.

Give Quinn a chance. A real chance. With a whole offseason and no QB competition and everything. Maybe he sucks. The thing is we don't know yet!

Mangini let DA start like 5 times or something after it was crystal clear he sucked. Based on that a guy who might not suck deserves at least a season.

Jack Bacevice

Browns Thoughts

March 10, 2010

It has been a loooooooong time since I checked in. For that I apologize. I could make an excuse, but I learned long ago that excuses are like a******s. Everyone has them and they all stink. So without further ado, let me get into some thoughts on the Browns offseason thus far.

Josh Cribbs: Signing Josh to a restructured deal was a good move. The deal is fair. The NFL is uncapped for the foreseeable future. A big time fan favorite and legit Pro Bowl talent is happy. Also, the Browns sent a message to other players: if you perform well we are willing to work with you. I like this move. I like it a lot.

Free Agency: Scott Fujita and Tony Pashos were very good signings. Both are starting caliber players. Both are pros without off field problems. Both have starting experience on winning teams (we last saw Fujita starting for the Super Bowl champs). Both are veterans, but hardly too old (Fujita 30, Pashos 29). Both signed reasonable 3-year contracts. Fujita will start in the 3-4. Kamerion Wimbley, Matt Roth, and D'Qwell Jackson are my best bets to join Fujita. With Jason Trusnik, Eric Barton, and David Bowens providing really strong depth the linebacker position could be a real strength for Cleveland this season. A 1-5 nickel package with Shaun Rogers, Wimbly, Fujita, Roth, Jackson, and Trusnik should do a really good job of getting to the quarterback.

Pashos is a mauler with good size that can be plugged right in at right tackle. He is Ryan Tucker like. I don't think he is as good as Tucker, who was a hell of a player, but he has a similar skill set and isn't far behind what Tucker once was. Last year the right side of the offensive line was a hodgepodge of an aging Hank Fraley, overmatched John St. Clair, injured Rex Hadnot, and overwhelmed Floyd Womack. Adding Pashos is an upgrade. Right now, it looks like Pashos will start at right tackle and Womack at right guard. That is a lot of beef on the right side of the line, the side teams like to run to. Womack and Pashos are at least average starters. St. Clair was far below average and his deficiencies impacted the play of whoever played right guard. Now a line of Joe Thomas, Eric Steinbach, Alex Mack, Floyd Womack, and Tony Pashos is a very good group with no obvious holes for opponents to exploit.

Update (4:35 EST): Jake Delhomme is set to visit the Browns according to Cleveland.com. Jake Delhomme sucks. Getting rid of Derek Anderson for old man version of Jake Delhomme is like cleaning a blood stained white shirt with grape juice. It is not a good idea.

Quarterbacks: DA is thankfully gone. I have always found it completely classless to boo a player when he is hurt on the turf. I don't blame Anderson for being upset about that. I don't blame him for lashing out. I also don't care. DA is so maddeningly inconsistent. When he is bad he is abominable. He is good just enough that he can fool someone into letting him play. This is actually a bad thing because he eventually poops the bed and throws 17 picks in a row or something. He can throw the ball a mile. That's nice. There is more to playing quarterback in the NFL than throwing a ball far. Which ever teams signs Anderson, I feel bad for their fans.

Word on the street is Cleveland is shopping Brady Quinn but not necessarily looking to trade him. It sounds like they are letting the world know he is available but not just desperate to dump him or anything. I would still like to see Quinn actually get a full year to play quarterback. Since being a first round pick in 2007 Quinn's career has been derailed by 1) a stupid hold out 2) a coaching change 3) a season ending injury 4) an inexplicable benching in favor of Derek Anderson 5) another season ending injury. Now he has some experience and has had a little bit of success in the NFL. Just a little. He is also dirt cheap in 2010. He is still only 25. I think it is worth giving him one year to see what he can actually do. If he sucks, the team will draft high again and can take Jake Locker or some other top quarterback prospect. For the love of God I just want to find out about Quinn.

Seneca Wallace was a nice addition. He cost very little (A 2011 7th round pick that could become a 6th if he plays a certain amount. Not sure how a labor stoppage would impact this deal.) Wallace is a fine backup, a good teammate, and a good athlete. I don't really think he should start, but he was a nice addition.

Draft: I think the Browns need to take the best secondary player available at number 7. Hopefully, Eric Berry falls that far. The latest mock drafts from both Mel Kiper and Todd McShay on ESPN.com have Berry going to Kansas City at 5. If Berry isn't available, the Browns should take Joe Haden at 7. Slow 40 time be damned. He has proven his worth on the field for 3 years and the Browns desperately need a shut down corner to bookend with Eric Wright.

I also like the trade of Corey Williams to add a 5th rounder. 5th round picks can often turn into decent players. Tony Pashos was a 5th round pick. The Browns really can't whiff on a high draft pick this year (see: Veikune, David). The Browns pick 7th, 7th in round two, and twice in round 3. On a team like this, it is imperative that the first two picks are both starters. The two third rounders should also be guys who can help this year. With all these later picks (including 1/8th of the entire 5th round) the Browns have plenty of picks to take guys for a year or two from now. Those first four picks should be guys who can help from Day 1 of 2010.

Jack Bacevice

Who are the hardest players to place?

Every off-season, NFL scouts are all over the country finding new talent, and watching old talent. They are looking for that diamond in the rough, the guy that they can draft in the 6th round and turn into a star. Some teams reach for players, while other teams pass on players that seem to be too talented to drop, and for unknown reasons. Most notably, in the 2003 NFL Draft the Cleveland Browns selected a linebacker out of a win-less West Texas A&M school in the 2nd round, despite the fact that he was rated as a 6th-7th round prospect at best. On the flip side, the 2005 NFL Draft featured former Michigan standout Ernest Shazor who some believed would be a 2nd round pick, only to watch him not be drafted and sign as an Un-Drafted Free Agent with the Cardinals. You can see that it's hard to place some players, and each player has their reasoning. So who are the hardest players to place in this year draft?

#10- Brandon Spike-ILB-Florida

Brandon Spikes had a very solid career with the Florida Gators. Prior to the 2009 season, many people had him pegged as a top ten linebacker for the 2010 NFL Draft. Statistically, Spikes didn't have a bad 2009 season after being named a First Team All-American for the 2nd straight season. However, many scouts are wondering just how well he can get off blockers, and if his hips are fluid enough to drop back in coverage, while also being a dominant presence inside the box on defense. On top of that, some character concerns are raised following the Georgia/Florida game, in which he was seen gouging out an opponents eyes. I've seen Spikes go as high as #10 in mock drafts, and as low as #65 in mocks. I have him right in the middle, around the top half of the 2nd round, probably in the 40 range. He is definitely a difficult player to place.

#9- Dexter McCluster-RB/WR-Ole Miss

Dexter McCluster is a talented player, and there's no doubt about it. However, prior to the end of the 2009 season, not much was being said about him until the bowl game, and then the Senior Bowl. Many people had McCluster as a 5th-6th round running back/wide receiver with high upside, but hold his size (5'8 165 pounds) against him. McCluster's speed is elite, and his catching ability is great. However, he's too small to really be an effective #1 or #2 receiver, so he'll have to be a running back? Right? Honestly, I have him as a 2nd round pick with the 3rd round as his floor, mostly because he's a guy that just needs to get touches. He's a utility player who will get the ball whether it's in the slot, the left side of the field, the right side. Whether it's in the air, or whether it's on the ground, he's going to find a team that wants to utilize his speed and cutback ability, along with his great hands.

#8- Jevan Snead-QB-Ole Miss

Jevan Snead is one of the most confusing declarations for the 2010 NFL Draft. After throwing 20 interceptions in 2009, and having a 54.4% completion percentage, Snead decided to forgo his senior season and enter the NFL Draft. What makes Snead such a hard player to place is knowing what kind of talent he has. He's got a very good arm, and while he could work on his accuracy, it's not terrible. So what happened? Was it immaturity? Was it a lack of intangibles? Right now, I have Snead as a 5th-6th round player, but he's a guy that has the talent to go into the 2nd round, as hard as it is for me to say it. Poor decision making can be improved as he gets groomed in the NFL, as well. I've seen some mocks have him as a 3rd rounder and a few having him as a 6th-7th round pick.

#7- Mike Williams-WR-Syracuse

Not many people really know much about Mike Williams, other than that he has the same name as a former Detroit Lion wide receiver who was a bust in the NFL. Mike Williams is one of the most talented players in the draft. Had he been able to play in 2008, and finished the 2009 season, he could easily be a 1st-2nd round draft pick. However, character issues have marked red flags all over him. After finishing 2007 with sixty catches and ten touchdowns, he became suspended for 2008 for theory of academic dishonesty. After coming back in 2009, he played seven games and had 746 yards off of 49 receptions. He left the team in the middle of the season in fear of being suspended. He flat out quit on his team. He was to be suspended for breaking team rules after he was involved in a car accident off the field. Prior to that he was suspended against Akron for undisclosed reasons. It's too hard to pin where this guy could go with owners like Al Davis out there. Some teams want talent and will disregard character issues. However, I think he'll end up in the 4th round strictly based on talent.

#6- Colt McCoy-QB-Texas

Colt McCoy has all the stats that NFL owners love to see. He throws for a very high percentage (70.6% in 2009), and throws quite a few touchdowns. Questions about his footwork, the system he played in at Texas, as well as his throwing motion are big concerns. The killer is the injury he suffered in the National Championship game from Marcel Dareus. McCoy is poised to throw at the combine, but if he can't, then NFL scouts will only be able to judge what he did at Texas and question whether or not they can improve him. If he can throw, and he throws well, he could end up being a late first round pick. If he can't throw, I could see McCoy slipping to the bottom of the 2nd or top of the 3rd round if not later.

#5- Toby Gerhart-RB-Stanford

A heck of a season Gerhart had in 2009, after rushing for 1,871 yards and 28 touchdowns. Right after his bowl game, he started moving into the first round of a lot of mock drafts. It seems some of the talk has cooled, however, and many have him as a 2nd rounder, and I've seen him as low as a 5th round pick. Personally, I have him as a 3rd-4th rounder assuming he runs a 4.58 or lower at the combine. Rumor has it he's been working on his forty time for over a year and that he could run in the 4.4's. However, I'll believe it when I see it. He's powerful, but he's a one dimensional north/south runner who ran behind a mauling Stanford line and behind Owen Marecic, his very underrated fullback. I think Gerhart is talented, but not 2nd round talent. If he runs in the 4.4's, I'll reconsider, and maybe be a little less hard on him.

#4- Jonathan Dwyer-RB-Georgia Tech

Many believed that Dwyer was a top 5 pick over a season ago. His combination of speed and power made him a hot commodity. However, his stock seems to be slipping based on the fact that maybe his speed still isn't good enough. Many people also question his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield, and run efficiently outside the tackles. I've seen Dwyer as early as pick number 11, and as far down as a mid-2nd round draft pick. Personally, I think he's right in the middle, probably between New England's pick at 22 and San Diego's pick at 28. I'm one of the few people that think he excelled in a triple offense that limited his abilities, but we'll see.

#3- Terrence Cody-NT-Alabama

Terrence Cody is one of the hardest guys to place in this draft, simply because we don't know what he's fully capable of. Is he strictly a two down nose tackle with weight issues? Or can we believe that he's been working hard after losing 60 pounds prior to 2008? Laziness is commonly associated with Cody, but perhaps we don't know the entire story. Nick Saban wouldn't let him play 3rd downs because of his weight issue, so one would question his drive. One thing we don't have to question is his size and strength. He clearly demands double teams, and can be dominant and very hard to block. But where is his value necessarily? I've seen him as high as #12 overall and as low as the top of the 3rd round. I've got him around pick #42 or so, with potential to move up if he can have some good interviews and have a good combine.

#2- Bryan Bulaga-OT-Iowa

Bulaga is one of the bigger question marks, and it's not because of his talent. It's because of the depth of offensive tackles, and because of his arm length. The combine is going to answer a big question in his arm length. Many have reported that his arms may only be around 33-33.5 inches long, which is just an average at best size. Anybody that knows offensive tackles knows that arm length is an integral part of success. While it's not that you cannot be successful, but it's definitely not ideal. I've seen Bulaga as high as pick #6 overall and as low as the middle of the 2nd round. That's a big jump. Right now, I think that with his talent, drive, and hard work ethic, he's a mid-1st round player, probably around pick 14 or 15.

#1- Tim Tebow-QB-Florida

The hardest player to place in Mock Drafts is easily Tim Tebow. His throwing motion, and footwork is a huge question mark, but his intangibles most certainly are not. You can't help but wonder what NFL team owner doesn't want this guy strictly for ticket sales and leadership ability, but how high is too high to draft for such a big risk? He's a guy that may not even play quarterback in the NFL, and could be suited for a halfback or even tight end. I've seen people who still believe Jacksonville will take him in the first, and personally, I have him as a 2nd, strictly because a team will reach for him. As a quarterback, his talent level is a 4th or 5th rounder. As a football player, his talent is a 2nd rounder. It's too hard to say where this guy is going to go, and he's by far the hardest player to place in mock drafts for 2010.

Browns-Titans Connection

In Erie, PA I have a unique view of NFL football.

As you've read in a previous blog, Erie is pretty equidistant from Cleveland, Buffalo and Pittsburgh so we have fans of all teams wandering around.

The Steelers are the evil empire to both Browns and (to a lesser extent) Bills fans and we've always shared a common bond.  Both of our teams are from cold weather towns that are struggling economically and their respective teams are the center of their sports universe.

I know Cleveland has the Indians and Cavaliers and Buffalo has the Sabres but having visited both cities extensively, I can tell you that Browns/Bills football to their respective fan bases is EVERYTHING.

So, there's always been a kindred spirit there.

Lately I've been talking to a RABID Titans fan named Ellen and she knows her stuff.  I've been very impressed by her sports knowledge and she loves the Titans as much as I love the Browns.  She went into great detail about how she showed up at every Tennessee playoff game during their last Super Bowl run starting with "The Music City Miracle."

I could feel her pain as she was talking about how the Titans came up just short in the big game and it reminded me of how the Browns have been close but no cigar in my time as a fan.

When you think about it, both franchises have been equally star crossed (although the Titans have a tad more success since they've actually gotten to a Super Bowl).

Similarities?

-If Ellen is any indication neither fan base has any love for the Steelers.  I suppose that goes back to the Luv Ya Blue Houston Oilers days when they regularly fell just short in AFC Title games to Pittsburgh.  Even to this day a Titans/Steelers game is a heated affair.

-Both franchises were moved.  Cleveland went to Baltimore and then was replaced with an expansion team.  Houston was a gypsy for many years before settling in Tennessee.

-The 2 organizations just can't seem to find a QB lately.  They get good play for a little while (Kerry Collins 2008 for Tennessee and Derek Anderson 2007 for the Browns) but mainly the position is in flux.

-Their best years always seem to be behind them.  Tennessee had it's best chance to win a title with Steve McNair (R.I.P.) and Eddie George and Cleveland with Bernie Kosar and Kevin Mack/Ernest Byner.

-Both of them are usually the bridesmaid and not the bride in their own divisions.  Tennessee always seems to be looking up at Indianapolis and Cleveland continually chases Pittsburgh.

I'm sure you could come up with more on your own.  Maybe we as Browns fans have some more kindred spirit friends than we originally thought.

To the state of Tennessee, let me speak for Browns Nation when I say:

"WE FEEL YOUR PAIN."

The conversation I want to have with my child one day....

Let's suspend reality for a moment and assume that I had a child born this year.  I'm not going to say boy or girl because rabid Browns fans come in both genders.  Since I am not married, engaged or currently dating a woman that is pregnant, I'm not going to have a child born this year but please go with me on this one.

The year is 2020.  My child and I are watching Browns football.  They are enjoying the game as usual.  Because the Browns are winning as usual.  They've really never known a time when the Browns weren't good.  Kind of like a child born in the 40's or 50's.  They really didn't know that Browns football was anything but stellar (that is until they grew up and then experienced the 70's and beyond).

But I digress.....

My child tells me that "Wow, I just love the Browns.  They're awesome.  The best team ever."

Me:  "Yes but I remember a time when it was painful to watch a game.  They were nearly unwatchable.  The offense couldn't run or pass.  The defense couldn't stop anyone.  They kept making bad draft choice after draft choice.  Their free agents didn't usually work out and they changed management teams as often as I change socks."

Child:  "No way.  Coach Mangini is the best coach in the league and with Tom Heckert drafting and picking free agents, they are awesome.  Plus Mr. Holmgren always keeps everyone in line."


Me:  "Yeah, I remember when they were all hired.  I didn't like Coach Mangini at first but I came to realize he was a good coach but just too overwhelmed when he began in 2009.  He needed help from people that really knew what they were doing and Tom Heckert and Mr. Holmgren really gave him a lot of support and what he needed.  The team used to struggle to win 4 or 5 games a year and they rarely beat Pittsburgh back then."

Child:  "They had trouble beating Pittsburgh?  That team is terrible.  They never even get that stadium half filled."

Me:  "Yeah, it was reversed back then. Pittsburgh was winning championships and going to the playoffs like Cleveland does now."

Child:  "I don't believe you.  There is NO way that Pittsburgh was any good and that the Browns were that bad.  Now Daaaaadddddd.....stop talking.  The Super Bowl is about to start and you know I don't like to miss anything the announcers say about the Browns."

Wouldn't that be a nice conversation to have in 2020?  I may not have a child to have that conversation with in 2020 but I hope that some father and child are having that exact dialogue 10 years from now.

How sweet would that be?

Billionaire backed Browns will produce championships

By Adam Doc Fox

Since the death of his father in 2002, the fans have negatively viewed Randy Lerner as a man who inherited ownership, as opposed to one that sought out and wanted it. Based on his consistently horrible hirings, the City of Cleveland has been left thinking Lerner is no more than a spoiled boy playing with dad’s big toys.

But Randy Lerner’s been learning, evolving.

After studying at Clare College in England, Lerner became immersed in the business side of soccer. In 2006 (after only owning the Browns for four years!), Lerner bought a 65% share of the football (soccer) club, Aston Villa. One month later, after naming himself Chairman of the Board, Lerner had an 85% share in the club.
Under the Lerner reign, Aston Villa went from 16th place in the league in 2005-06, to 11th, then 6th, and his club is currently points off securing a place in the world’s most prolific soccer tournament, the Champions League. Now with Villa finally rolling, Lerner can now focus his attention on his inherited Cleveland Browns.

Based on the past eight years of his ownership, no one is quite ready to believe or have much faith in Lerner. However, Lerner entered a maniac English sports league with over a hundred years of tradition (if you think the New York media is tuff, try London), and is doing quite well. How? Spending money and understanding people who truly know the sport should be making the decisions. Lerner paid to bring in players and coaches that knew that game, and they brought success to “The Villains.” He now knows that same formula will work in the NFL.

Lerner doesn’t want one or two humans running his organization (e.g., Savage/Crennel or Kokinis/Mangini). He now realizes he needs a multi-pack. The Browns have stolen a coach from Seattle, a GM from Philly, a president from Miami, and now, the only thing missing is money.
Sure the draft will be relied upon, but if it’s an open market, now that Villa is bringing in money and doing well, Lerner will be cutting checks just like the one he wrote to secure Holmgren in Cleveland.
Life is running out on Randy Lerner, and he will soon have to make the Browns a winner, even if he has to buy a team, to fulfill the promise he made to his now deceased father, that he must make the Browns a championship team once again.

By Adam Doc Fox