And I would have only extended Rubin and Jackson. If you wer going to give up two positions to free agency I would have prefered they let Gocong and Patterson walk. I have no idea what their hang-up is with these guys. Patterson can ge good to a degree, but would he really be worth that kind of money? You could have almost given that exact same contract to Peyton Hillis I have no doubt.Gocong only has $8M guarenteed of that contract, the rest are incentives and bonuses...of which he earned some last season
..Only $3M is guarenteed this year, he has to earn the rest...then the rest of the contract is not guarenteed. So if he doesn't earn that starter's role, he can move on without any further money owed, or cap space issues incurred. His signing bonus was all up front last season, so they don't have any of that hanging over their head for the next 4 years in cap space either.And I would have only extended Rubin and Jackson.I think this was a typo, wasn't it lbg? You aren't suggesting they should replace Joe Thomas are you?
Even if he succeeded it would be pointless. Unless as you suggest you bring in a big time young prospect from the draft. There isn't much McCoy would learn from Hasselback IMO. I would actually prefer to give Colt his time on the field over Hasselback.c'mon lbg, you even copied and pasted the part where I said he'd be a perfect "bridge" QB to show McCoy OR THE FUTURE QB
, the ropes....of course I'm talkin about bringing in another prospect....It’s a sad thing for a fan base to be thinking ahead to the first overall pick in an NFL draft that’s 13 months away, but in Cleveland there’s already talk that the best option for a Browns franchise quarterback may be USC’s Matt Barkley in the 2013 draft.
The Browns have had a Top 7 pick in the first round for four years in a row, by virtue of going either 4-12 or 5-11 each of the last four years, and unless they take Texas A&M’s Ryan Tannehill this year, they won’t have used any of those Top 7 picks on quarterbacks. Even though they need a quarterback. So Steve Doerschuk of the Canton Repository notes that that with the Browns missing out on trading up for Robert Griffin III, and not signing a free agent quarterback, it may be down to doing the best they can to build around Colt McCoy this year, with an eye toward drafting Barkley next year if things don’t work out with McCoy.
It’s obviously way too soon to say how next year’s NFL draft will play out, but Barkley will head into the 2012 college football season as the early favorite to be the top pick. And the Browns obviously hope McCoy will turn out to be a good starting quarterback who can lead them to more than five wins for the first time since 2007.
But in this offseason’s game of quarterback musical chairs, the Browns look like they’re going to be left standing when the music stops. And that would leave them stuck with what they have this year, and hoping things turn out differently next year.
I have one problem with how the Browns handled the first six days of free agency.
That’s about 100 fewer than many fans have with general manager Tom Heckert’s approach.
For me, the missed opportunity was failing to sign a veteran receiver from a talented and relatively deep pool. The Browns need an upgrade of talent at the critical position, and would benefit from someone with a history of success in the league.
I understand not wanting to give Pierre Garcon $21.5 million guaranteed. Or paying Robert Meachem, Mario Manningham and Laurent Robinson like they’re No. 1 wideouts when they’ve never filled the role.
I just think receiver was the one position this offseason the Browns could afford to step outside of their comfort zone. The reward was worth the risk.
Heckert disagreed and will turn to the draft to find another threat for whoever lines up at quarterback. It’s also important to remember free agency isn’t over. Heckert could add talent through the draft and leadership through a lower-tier free agent. Former Steeler Hines Ward might not be able to run anymore, but he could have a profound effect in the locker room.
The fans aren’t willing to wait to see how the roster shakes out. The wailing began Tuesday when the first free agent signed elsewhere. And it hasn’t stopped.
Why won’t the Browns do anything? Why did they let Peyton Hillis go? How are they going to replace Eric Steinbach? Who are the bums they did sign?
The anger hasn’t dissipated, either. Some fans were even seen crying in their green beer Saturday.
Heckert’s warning that the Browns wouldn’t “go crazy” in free agency didn’t resonate with everyone. Some people don’t hear what they don’t want to hear.
They don’t want to listen when Heckert and president Mike Holmgren preach patience. When they correctly point out that the NFL’s best teams don’t load up in free agency. When they try to explain that the highest-profile free agents are overpaid, and others are available for a reason — their team doesn’t want them.
Fans have every right to be frustrated, disappointed and angry with all the losing the Browns have done over the last 13 years. Especially when they haven’t won more than five games in a season since 2007.
The fans are right when they say the Browns lack playmakers and desperately need an infusion of talent. And at this time of the year, free agency’s the only way to improve the roster.
It just doesn’t mean it’s the right way.
The Redskins always make a huge splash in March — last week was no exception — then they sink in December. Many of the league’s best-run organizations — Green Bay, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Indianapolis — make zero headlines in the spring, then grab plenty of giant ones in the playoffs.
Those who’ve complained the loudest in the last week — it might be a minority of fans, but it’s a vocal one, with Twitter and talk radio magnifying the frustration — scream as if they want the Browns to keep all their free agents, then go sign the best from other teams.
It doesn’t work that way. The NFL isn’t Major League Baseball, and the Browns aren’t the Yankees. The NFL is ruled by a salary cap, so throwing millions at the wrong fit or getting into a bidding war for someone who isn’t a difference-maker isn’t wise.
The Browns were among the least active teams in the first stretch of free agency, but they still made plenty of moves to analyze.
That’s also where the fans’ attention should turn.
I'm just trying to figure out a way that this team can avoid losing 11 or 12 games again....Get some WRs in here that can get separation so Colt doesn't have to revive the dink and dunk show!
And the sad thing is, I think they really want to...I just don't think they can get any QB that's worth a chit, to even consider this wretched franchise...Or you have a different idea of who is worth a chit! Hell, Flynn's own O-coordinator did not want him enough to make him a legitimate offer...Who else exactly are we talking about here? Kyle Orton? Maybe a Jason Campbell???These guys don't last with ANY team, yet you want to bring THEM in?
You want to know what REALLY happened in the negotiations for the #2 pick between Cleveland and St.Louis? The NFL saw a really bright superstar quarterback in Robert Griffin....The kind of guy that will make the league a bazillion dollars. They weren't about to let the Cleveland Browns franchise ruin him.....So They stepped in and said, sorry, RG3 is going to Washington. CASE CLOSED....You are losing your mind!
. if you call within the next thirty minuets i will double the offer . thats right two tin foil hats for the price of one . 
Earlier this week, there were conflicting reports that Cleveland Browns were in contract talks with Green Bay Packers free agent quarterback Matt Flynn. A few days later, Flynn visited with the Seattle Seahawks followed by the Miami Dolphins. Cleveland was not on Flynn’s travel itinerary.
Then on March 18, Flynn signed a three-year deal with the Seahawks. The Browns appeared indifferent with Flynn during the entire process. Was that the right decision?
Our colleague, Zac Jackson of FoxSportsOhio.com, wrote that the Browns needed to get Flynn.
“The Browns could sign Flynn now and then shape a specific plan for how to proceed and find a pass rusher, secondary depth, a right tackle and some skill guys,” Jackson wrote. “Being the only team to start the League Year with no sure answer at quarterback, running back or wide receiver is a tough spot.”
The Browns did try to solidify the quarterback spot, but their attempt to trade up to draft Robert Griffin III failed. A few days later, the Browns’ brass sounded as if they were content with either Colt McCoy or Seneca Wallace as the team’s signal caller in 2012.
If Griffin III was Plan A, why wasn't Matt Flynn Plan B?
Combined, McCoy and Wallace have 40 more NFL starts than Flynn, but it is hard to ignore what Flynn did in his two starts — 55-for-81 passing for 537 yards with nine touchdowns and two interceptions.
Flynn seems poised to make the transition from a backup, who learned from the likes of Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rogers, to a starting quarterback in the NFL, after signing a three-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks.
Yet one thing bothers me: He was a seventh round draft pick.
Bill Huber, who covers the Packers for Scout.com’s Packers Report, asked Flynn about that last season.
“I wondered if any point did that make him think this isn’t going to work,” Huber said. “How many national championship quarterbacks from the SEC go in the seventh round? He said ‘no’ and that he has the utmost confidence he could play at this level.
“He’s not cocky, but confident.”
When you look at the Super Bowl winning quarterbacks over the past 10 years or so, the majority of quarterbacks were taken in the first or early second rounds, with a few exceptions like Kurt Warner or Tom Brady.
The odds say Flynn is not the exception to the rule. Moreover, the price tag Flynn commanded was worth up to $24 million, according to some reports, and with three picks in the top 37, the Browns may be allocating their money wisely.
Whichever camp you reside in — McCoy just needs more talent, Matt Flynn, another QB to be determined later — the Browns need to solidify that position. It does not appear that the team has settled on that position with McCoy. One common theme of Super Bowl winning teams over the past decade or so is that they are solidified at that position.
The sooner the Browns can arrive at that decision, the better for the sake of the franchise. This time, it does not appear Matt Flynn was the answer for Cleveland. Flynn could be the next Scott Mitchell or the next Matt Schaub. We won’t arrive at that answer with Flynn wearing orange and brown.
But if your like to play your percentages and look at the amount of high-drafted quarterbacks win Super Bowls, the Browns made the right decision by not signing Flynn.
Irish, the Browns do need receivers to go along with Little and separation would be nice but with the Shurmur offense, it won't make a difference. When he ran the Rams it was the Amendola show, 4 yards right and 4 yards left.No offense, but who did they have to be their #1? Can you blame a rookie Bradford, if his best target was Amendola/Gibson? He had Brandon Lloyd for what a half a year last season?
The Rams didn't have someone with separation either so maybe if Shurmur had one, he would go deep for 20 on first down some time.Here is the thing, Shurmur isn't throwing the ball, or reading the receivers...The plays have that receiver, 15/20 yards down field, but if he isn't open, the ball will not be thrown to him or it gets picked off.
I'm not suprised by H&H not going into free agency hard. They said they were not going to and followed that up with NADA.Again, it isn't they have done NADA, it just isn't the sexy picks that make Sports Center...They have upgraded the defensive end spot. They have also signed their own guys back. Free agency isn't nearly over yet...
Now that I’ve slightly recovered from bringing a slingshot to a debate where everyone else is packing fully automatic machine guns w/ grenade launchers, I figured I’d poke my nose in and offer my 0.005$.
Duff thank the stars you’re back I certainly hope you’ve restocked the Kool-Aid and Cola supplies. We’re in for a bumpy ride for a while.
(_)> ================ Doubles for everyone until supplies run outTD… Like the AV. If I may though, a Lombardi Trophy in one hand and the MVP trophy in the other would make your AV perfect.
Though it’s not a completely foregone conclusion but it does look like RG3 is headed for WAS. As much as you RG3 Fans are disappointed that it didn’t happen for the Browns. I for one, perhaps I am alone or at least in such a minority that I’ll take my sling shot and run away, am glad the Browns didn’t mortgage the next three years for one unproven player. For the most part they can still build on what they’ve started. Look at it this way folks Fisher and the Rams now have the opportunity to have 2 first round picks for the next three years. (they could package one or both 2<sup>nd</sup> rounders and move up this year). The Browns just couldn’t match that, without giving up WAY too MUCH.
(DUFF ANOTHER ONE PLEASE I’m about to get blasted by machinegun fire and grenades)
Free agency has gone about as expected. It would appear that Hillis didn’t want to play for the Browns next fall. As far as I understand the previous contract that he turned down was worth more. As much as I like Hillis and wholly supported his coming to the Browns, it would seem that one good year and the fame that came with it went to his head, and he can no longer be a productive runner for the Browns. No surprise that Steinbach was let go. I am not sure he could have been as productive after his back injury. Pashos needed to go a year ago. I do think Lauvao and Pinkston would do better if the switched sides. Adams will be missed the most IMHO! It will depend on how the draft shakes out. I agree Brown would make a better safety at this point. No big splashy FA signings. Though many here think that is a disservice it actually makes sense. They didn’t do it last year so why would anyone think they’d do it this year. I can see solid players for a reasonable price, but do not ever expect this regime to make a Mario Williams type FA move. I just don’t see it happening EVER.
IMHO, no one player is more valuable than the rest of the team. I admit I do like the two DE’s that they signed. Not flashy but solid players, plus weakened the RDE position of a division Rival.
Again I turn you to the Colts and Manning. They backed up the Brinks truck and have only ONE SB win to show for it. Worthlessberger has two rings and one more appearance than Manning. HE is willing to restructure his contract to help his TEAM win. IT takes a COMPLETE team to win not one overpaid QB, not matter how Phuquing good he is.
(DUFF ANOTHER ONE PLEASE I’m about to get blasted by another sortie)
I have to agree w/ Lym about NO Mulligans for Holmgren and year one. If Mangini wasn’t going to be the coach long term he should have just canned Mangini and brought in his guy from day one. This endless coaching carousel needs to end before the Browns win games with any consistency. I do like that they brought in Childress as an OC. Hopefully everyone gets on the SAME page and works together toward the common goal of a DYNASTY!
TD you asked what my standard is… Look at the first 10-years the Browns played ball. 10 championship appearances and 7-wins… THAT is my Standard!
I want a dominant SB winning Dynasty. Similar to the 49ers of the 80’s and 90-s and more recently the..cough, choke, gag… Patriots, and the Steelers bringing up a distant 3<sup>rd</sup>. This is what I want to see the Browns DO! Play and WIN Multiple SB’s not one, not two, but many more before the almighty calls me home.
get your tin foil hats here .. thats right a blue light special on authentic tin foil hats . if you call within the next thirty minuets i will double the offer . thats right two tin foil hats for the price of one .
get them while supplies last
I’ll take two!
(_)> ================ One more round before I go.
