Late night bullshit: Let's fix the Browns.

[Direckshun]

Two first round picks and TONS of cap space. But oy, what a ****ing mess.

Assumptions:

1. The Browns extend WR Josh Gordan 5 years, $51m ($33m guaranteed).

2. The Browns restructure ILB D'Qwell Jackson.

3. The Browns re-sign C Alex Mack for 5 years, $35m ($22m guaranteed), S TJ Ward for 4 years, $25m ($14m guaranteed).

4. The Browns re-sign CB Julian Posey to minimal deals.

5. The Browns let walk: RB Willis McGahee, OG Shawn Lauvao, ILB Craig Robertson, K Billy Cundiff

6. The Browns cut: QB Brandon Weeden

7. Browns sign RB Maurice Jones-Drew (Jaguars) for 3-year, $20m ($7m guaranteed), DE Ropati Pitoitua (Titans) for 1-year, $2m, ILB Dan Connor (Panthers) to a minimal deal, OLB Frank Zombo (Chiefs) to a minimal deal, S Mike Adams (Broncos) for 1-year, $3m, K Jay Feely (Cardinals) for 1-year, $4m.

On with the show:

1.4. QB Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M

The Browns desperately need a game changer at the QB position. Manziel has every conceivable tool you need to be the next Philip Rivers, albeit a physically smaller version. The coaches will need to get him out of running the ball so much, but Manziel is a phenomenal talent, and though he is a problem child off the field, he brings a cockiness and an expectation of greatness that this organization never, ever sees.

Manziel comes into a decent situation. He doesn't necessarily have to start right away, assuming Brian Hoyer comes into his own. He's got great protection from his OL, a good security blanket in Jordan Camerson, and he's got a Top 5 receiver in Josh Gordon. He'll need a better slot WR than Davone Bess, but with all the holes this team has, that can wait.

Also, he's got............................

1.26. WR Kelvin Benjamin, Florida State

A receiver with decimating size (6'3", 232 lbs), Benjamin is a larger-than-life presence with phenomenal hands, who plays the best when the lights are brightest -- a quality sorely needed in Cleveland. Josh Gordon gives the Browns a deep threat, meaning Benjamin develops into the perfect possession WR compliment. Manziel now has two great weapons out wide (and all of a sudden, a pretty good bench with Bess and Little now getting their snaps reduced), as well as a good TE with great OL protection.

2.35. OG Cyril Richardson, Baylor

Cyril Richardson is a massive, bull-strong guard who can punish DLs all game long. He's not terribly athletic, and will require a learning curve. Otherwise, he's plug-and-play.

3.71. CB Loucheiz Purifoy, Florida

The Browns need someone with starter potential who can eventually take over for Buster Skrine. More than anything, the Browns just need more depth in their secondary, as they are getting torched by the strong passing attacks that now populate the AFC North.

3.83. DE Kelcy Quarles, South Carolina

A pure passrushing DE in the 3-4, you'll bring Quarles in obvious passing situations.

4.102. RB De'Anthony Thomas, Oregon

The Browns get an explosive talent that can return some kicks in the McCluster-sized Thomas. Thomas comes with durability concerns, but the Browns need more threats on offense. Thomas won't be expected to be the lead back.

4.122. NT Beau Allen, Wisconsin

Allen is a 330 lbs pure run stuffer. In case Phil Taylor needs a blow.

5.133. RB Devonta Freeman, Florida State

The Browns just need more playmaking ability out of the backfield. Freeman has a sneaky combination of quickness and power.

6.164. P Tom Hornsey, Memphis

The Browns have no punter. Hornsey's been the best punter in college football for three years.

7.196. TE Colt Lyerla, Oregon

Alright, so he's a coke-head. He's still incredibly talented, and if the new coach can create a positive locker room environment, who knows.

[Direckshun]

Correct me if I'm wrong, folks. But I believe I've fixed the Browns.

QB: Manziel, Hoyer, Campbell
RB: Jones-Drew, Thomas, Freeman
FB: Ogbonnaya

WR: Gordon, Benjamin, Little, Bess, Cooper
TE: Cameron, Lyerla, Barnidge

LT: Thomas, Cousins
LG: Greco, Pinkston
C: Mack, Greco
RG: Richardson, Gilkey
RT: Schwartz, Cousins

DE: Hughes, Quarles
NT: Taylor, Allen
DE: Rubin, Pitoitua

OLB: Mingo, Sheard
ILB: Carder, Eubanks
ILB: Jackson, Connor
OLB: Kruger, Zombo

CB: Haden, Skrine, Purifoy, Posey, McFadden
S: Ward, Adams, Bademosi, Poyer

K: Feely
P: Hornsey

[cdcox]

Kill it with fire.

[CrazyPhuD]

Move them to LA.....although the name might be considered racist then....

[RealSNR]

Kill the owner and GM with fire.

FYP

[ClevelandBronco]

Kill it with fire.

Yeah. We tried that.

http://d3gg9vbfoftgha.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Cuyahoga-River-fire_1969.jpg

[RealSNR]

BTW, remember the difference between resign and re-sign.

[Direckshun]

BTW, remember the difference between resign and re-sign.

I always make that error. Blah.

[Titty Meat]

Direck is obsessed with drafting guys who don't start.

[mnchiefsguy]

I do not see Josh Gordon signing an extension for only 51 million...especially to stay in Cleveland. He will expect more than Dwayne Bowe money.

[RealSNR]

Direck is obsessed with drafting guys who don't start.

So he's John Dorsey?

BADUMCHA

[Direckshun]

Direck is obsessed with drafting guys who don't start.

Three starters plus a nickelback.

So........

[Direckshun]

I do not see Josh Gordon signing an extension for only 51 million...especially to stay in Cleveland. He will expect more than Dwayne Bowe money.

Fair point.

[Chiefspants]

I see more Todd Reesing in Manziel than Phillip Rivers or RGIII.

Rather small, below average arm, and slower than Wilson or RGIII.

I have a difficult time believing he'll be able to adapt to the speed and brutality of the NFL.

[Hoover]

I'd rather have TJ Ward for 4 years, $25m ($14m guaranteed) than Macklin at 3 years $15m just saying

[BossChief]

If all TJ Ward wants is 4/25 we better try to sign him.

That guy is one of the best safeties in football.

I like your direction, shun.

[Mav]

Welp. No Desmond Bryant? And you fixed the browns by drafting Johnny Manziel? And by signing a 30 year old rb?

[kcxiv]

no, leave the browns the same. If they get fixed, that means, next joke up is the Chiefs.

[Mav]

no, leave the browns the same. If they get fixed, that means, next joke up is the Chiefs.

Oh come on. Really? The raiders, jets, lions all are ahead of the chiefs

[Eureka]

Welp. No Desmond Bryant? And you fixed the browns by drafting Johnny Manziel? And by signing a 30 year old rb?

They've already signed Desmond Bryant.

[Mav]

They've already signed Desmond Bryant.

That was my point. He doesnt have him listed. Nor did he have marquis gray, billy winn, or ishmaly kitchen. I still can't believe part of fixing the browns is drafting jff, and signing mjd.

[redshirt32]

Fix, the Browns give them the 23 overall pick for their first round pick next year, plus a 2,3, pick this year.

Fixed they have 3 first round picks, sure they wont screw that up

[LoneWolf]

You're going to fix the Browns by drafting Johnny Manziel? That's like fixing cancer by getting AIDS.

[007]

Why do we even care about the Browns? The only thing they ever did for us was have a player take off their helmet on the last play of a game.

[KCUnited]

Tiger Mandingo, wound care specialist

[58-4ever]

I see more Todd Reesing in Manziel than Phillip Rivers or RGIII.

Rather small, below average arm, and slower than Wilson or RGIII.

I have a difficult time believing he'll be able to adapt to the speed and brutality of the NFL.

So much wrong in here that it's painful

[kcchiefsus]

Who gives a crap, fuck the Browns.

[Direckshun]

Welp. No Desmond Bryant? And you fixed the browns by drafting Johnny Manziel? And by signing a 30 year old rb?

MJD is going to be fairly cheap, relative to his potential to have a 1,000 yard season behind that line.

I can't plug every hole in the dam in one offseason.

I'm high on Manziel, FWIW. And fair point on me forgetting Bryant -- I don't know the Browns as well as I know some other teams.

[Easy 6]

Jones-Drew is shot, kaput, done, over and out.

Outside of that it looks like a fine plan, taking a shot on a boom or bust guy like Manziel will be nice hype for a team that never gets any.

[Simply Red]

BTW, remember the difference between resign and re-sign.

SNR is the new CP grammar God, there's no denying him. One lil' mistake, and prepare to embrace the ensuing butt torch.

[Mav]

It's a good job direckshun. I'm just pissy with the situation

[LOCOChief]

Bortles > Manziel.

[Sorter]

Welp. No Desmond Bryant? And you fixed the browns by drafting Johnny Manziel? And by signing a 30 year old rb?

I'm not sure he'll be allowed to play again.

[The Franchise]

Mack and Ward are getting bigger deals than that.

[BossChief]

The only part I really don't like is signing MJD.

I wouldn't give that guy 2 million a year.

[The Franchise]

And considering Little's catching problem and Bess's mental issues.....I seriously doubt either one of them are or should be back with the Browns.

[kcxiv]

Oh come on. Really? The raiders, jets, lions all are ahead of the chiefs

Dude, this is how bad it is for us chiefs fans, and i have posted this already. the Raiders have had double digit losses per season since 2004. Thats 9 years, now, if we go back to 10 years they have had more play off wins then we have had in the last 20. Thats how bad it is! now, if you wanna go back 11 years, they have had more play off wins then we have in 40 years, This is with 9 straight play off less seasons.

Jets have won a few play off games. Lions, well, they are in the dumps with the Chiefs.

[Tombstone RJ]

How about moving the team to Baltimore?

[Mav]

How about moving the team to Baltimore?

Trolling aside, why would any owner, NOT want to keep a team in Cleveland?

Do you see how HORRIBLE things are right now?

Guess what. Come Week 1. The stadium will be PACKED. Which is precisely why every year, the Browns host a home game week one. Why? Because Cleveland is a BROWNS TOWN.

Yes, and you wouldn't know anything about this because lets be honest, when have the Rockies, or Nuggets really been relevant?

But Cleveland, for all of its failures, has had a really GREAT RUN WITH THE CAVS with Lebron, and for years with the Indians in the 90's-early 00's. Guess what. If the choice was between the Browns, and those teams, even when those teams were winning. Browns games were sold out.

Not a ton of Franchises can say that.

Nope. Not SF. When they were losing, people were at the Giants games. SF, IS A GIANTS TOWN.

Arizona? Please.

Atlanta?

Detroit?

No matter what, Cleveland will ALWAYS SUPPORT THEIR BROWNS.

They aren't going anywhere. Part of Haslams deal when he bought the team, was that he wouldn't move them. They have an iron clad 20 year lease with the city of Cleveland.

They need to get it right.

The Browns have one of the biggest, and most loyal fan bases in the WORLD.

They deserve a winner.

Much more so than your spoiled self entitled donkeys franchise.

[Tombstone RJ]

Trolling aside, why would any owner, NOT want to keep a team in Cleveland?

Do you see how HORRIBLE things are right now?

Guess what. Come Week 1. The stadium will be PACKED. Which is precisely why every year, the Browns host a home game week one. Why? Because Cleveland is a BROWNS TOWN.

Yes, and you wouldn't know anything about this because lets be honest, when have the Rockies, or Nuggets really been relevant?

But Cleveland, for all of its failures, has had a really GREAT RUN WITH THE CAVS with Lebron, and for years with the Indians in the 90's-early 00's. Guess what. If the choice was between the Browns, and those teams, even when those teams were winning. Browns games were sold out.

Not a ton of Franchises can say that.

Nope. Not SF. When they were losing, people were at the Giants games. SF, IS A GIANTS TOWN.

Arizona? Please.

Atlanta?

Detroit?

No matter what, Cleveland will ALWAYS SUPPORT THEIR BROWNS.

They aren't going anywhere. Part of Haslams deal when he bought the team, was that he wouldn't move them. They have an iron clad 20 year lease with the city of Cleveland.

They need to get it right.

The Browns have one of the biggest, and most loyal fan bases in the WORLD.

They deserve a winner.

Much more so than your spoiled self entitled donkeys franchise.

if they were such great fans, how come the team moved to Baltimore?

[The Franchise]

Trolling aside, why would any owner, NOT want to keep a team in Cleveland?

Do you see how HORRIBLE things are right now?

Guess what. Come Week 1. The stadium will be PACKED. Which is precisely why every year, the Browns host a home game week one. Why? Because Cleveland is a BROWNS TOWN.

Yes, and you wouldn't know anything about this because lets be honest, when have the Rockies, or Nuggets really been relevant?

But Cleveland, for all of its failures, has had a really GREAT RUN WITH THE CAVS with Lebron, and for years with the Indians in the 90's-early 00's. Guess what. If the choice was between the Browns, and those teams, even when those teams were winning. Browns games were sold out.

Not a ton of Franchises can say that.

Nope. Not SF. When they were losing, people were at the Giants games. SF, IS A GIANTS TOWN.

Arizona? Please.

Atlanta?

Detroit?

No matter what, Cleveland will ALWAYS SUPPORT THEIR BROWNS.

They aren't going anywhere. Part of Haslams deal when he bought the team, was that he wouldn't move them. They have an iron clad 20 year lease with the city of Cleveland.

They need to get it right.

The Browns have one of the biggest, and most loyal fan bases in the WORLD.

They deserve a winner.

Much more so than your spoiled self entitled donkeys franchise.

And this is why the NFL should step in. I'm not claiming that the NFL should become this God that goes around telling franchise who to pick at coach and which GMs deserve jobs. But when you've fucked up for so long...like the Browns have.....it's time that the owner is forced to go. He obviously doesn't care about fielding a competitive franchise. Anyone could see that the staff they had last year (Chud, Turner and Horton) was about as good as anyone could see them getting....and what they were doing was working. But fired after one season? That's fucking bullshit. Schiano got 2 seasons and look how much of a fuckhead that guy is.

[Mav]

if they were such great fans, how come the team moved to Baltimore?

I didn't know the FANS moved the team. I could of swore that was Art Modell.

[Easy 6]

I didn't know the FANS moved the team. I could of swore that was Art Modell.

Yep, the people of Cleveland were CRUSHED over that, Modell would've been strung up from a balcony like Mussolini if he'd shown his face there after that.

[Mav]

And this is why the NFL should step in. I'm not claiming that the NFL should become this God that goes around telling franchise who to pick at coach and which GMs deserve jobs. But when you've ****ed up for so long...like the Browns have.....it's time that the owner is forced to go. He obviously doesn't care about fielding a competitive franchise. Anyone could see that the staff they had last year (Chud, Turner and Horton) was about as good as anyone could see them getting....and what they were doing was working. But fired after one season? That's ****ing bullshit. Schiano got 2 seasons and look how much of a ****head that guy is.

I couldn't agree with you more. I feel sorry for Mike Pettine. He gets NO slack, no excuses. Chud got a break. They understood the turnover that had to happen. We understood as fans that they weren't going to have the qb yet that they needed. Then we got kicked in the nuts after week two when they traded Trent. But, we understood. This coming season of 2014, was the season we were targeting as the year the Browns returned.

Chiefs fans saw it. The Browns, if not for Devone Bess fumbles, and drops, there is a real chance that the Browns would of won that game.

Chiefs fans saw a defense, and a stud in Josh Gordon. There are real pieces there. Would anyone had they kept that coaching staff have blinked an EYE if when the preseason projections came out if people had the browns winning the division?

They have 10 draft picks, and the only team with more cap room than the Browns, is the Raiders. Had you kept that coaching staff together. Why wouldn't Aqib Talib wanted to pair up with Horton, and play across from Joe Haden? The prospects were ENDLESS for how great this team could of been.

Now they are going to lose Mack, they are going to lose Ward. Unless they tag one of them. But it should never have come to that. They kept the Coaching staff, those two would of WANTED to stay with the Browns.

10 DRAFT PICKS, 5 in the first 100.

My god.


Fucking idiots.

[Mav]

Yep, the people of Cleveland were CRUSHED over that, Modell would've been strung up from a balcony like Mussolini if he'd shown his face there after that.

Even now that he has died. People still wont forgive him. The only thing that ever really pissed me off about the move. Is that Ozzie Smith stayed with that Organization. He is still respected by the Browns fans, but for me, it leaves a little bit of a bitter taste in my mouth.

[GoChargers]

Contract them.

/thread

[Tombstone RJ]

I didn't know the FANS moved the team. I could of swore that was Art Modell.

yep, because the people of Cleveland refused to help Modell with a new stadium, after they already funded a new stadium for the Indians, and put money into the Cavaliers facility.

so they basically said FU to their beloved Browns, after Modell begged and pleaded for help to build a new stadium. When Modell could not sustain the old stadium anymore, and the city of Cleveland refused to talk about a new stadium, he moved the team.

[Easy 6]

Even now that he has died. People still wont forgive him. The only thing that ever really pissed me off about the move. Is that Ozzie Smith stayed with that Organization. He is still respected by the Browns fans, but for me, it leaves a little bit of a bitter taste in my mouth.

Ozzie (Newsome, not Smith the short stop, heh) didnt show much loyalty did he?... too bad they didnt stay because he would've built Cleveland a helluva football team.

[Mav]

yep, because the people of Cleveland refused to help Modell with a new stadium, after they already funded a new stadium for the Indians, and put money into the Cavaliers facility.

so they basically said FU to their beloved Browns, after Modell begged and pleaded for help to build a new stadium. When Modell could not sustain the old stadium anymore, and the city of Cleveland refused to talk about a new stadium, he moved the team.

Not everything is as it seems. Remember that.

The City of Cleveland, was balking at him. But, they did get a new stadium didn't they?

You realize the stadium they play in now is pretty much Brand New?

That had nothing to do with the FANS. That had to do with the City of Cleveland.

[Mav]

Ozzie (Newsome, not Smith the short stop, heh) didnt show much loyalty did he?... too bad they didnt stay because he would've built Cleveland a helluva football team.

Sighs. :banghead:

[OldSchool]

You're going to fix the Browns by drafting Johnny Manziel? That's like fixing cancer by getting AIDS.

Actually . . . http://youtu.be/nslinX6C1ZM

[Mav]

Contract them.

/thread

Yeahhhhhh, you guys would go WAY before we would there boss.

[millz]

lmao jones drew really? the organization already came out during the season and said they were looking at ben tate which would be a nicer younger option IMO.

[Mav]

lmao jones drew really? the organization already came out during the season and said they were looking at ben tate which would be a nicer younger option IMO.

Id prefer if they draft either Jeremy HIll, or the kid from Auburn.

[Mr. Laz]

Dov Kleiman ‏@NFL_RealUpdates 12m
#Browns will hire former #Redskins offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, per @alexmarvez

[Tombstone RJ]

Not everything is as it seems. Remember that.

The City of Cleveland, was balking at him. But, they did get a new stadium didn't they?

You realize the stadium they play in now is pretty much Brand New?

That had nothing to do with the FANS. That had to do with the City of Cleveland.

whatever. It is a tax payer funded stadium and so, unless Ohio is a communist state (it could be, they are libtards) it means the "people" have to vote on it, right? I know the people in Denver voted "yes" on the Broncos new stadium.

The communists in cleveland only voted yes on a new stadium, and get this, because I know you are kind of stupid, after Modell moved the team.

[chiefzilla1501]

yep, because the people of Cleveland refused to help Modell with a new stadium, after they already funded a new stadium for the Indians, and put money into the Cavaliers facility.

so they basically said FU to their beloved Browns, after Modell begged and pleaded for help to build a new stadium. When Modell could not sustain the old stadium anymore, and the city of Cleveland refused to talk about a new stadium, he moved the team.

How can anyone possibly defend a man who chose money over fans? It's not like Jacksonville, where the fans aren't there. You're talking about a passionate football fan base.

[greatgooglymoogly]

The NFL has done everything it can to make franchises like the Browns viable. That doesn't guarantee they will ever win anything meaningful, even though they've had a couple of dead cat bounces over the last 15 years. At this point, the Browns brand is so toxic with players that the FO has to overpay to get a decent FA, and they also run the risk of having a draft pick refuse to sign. This is the kind of problem that could take a decade or more to fix, but as a fan of hapless teams, I'd like to think it can be fixed.

[Saccopoo]

If all TJ Ward wants is 4/25 we better try to sign him.

That guy is one of the best safeties in football.

I like your direction, shun.

TJ is a strong safety in the same mold as Berry.

I'd rather have Morgan Burnett, Nate Allen or Major Wright so we'd have someone who could cover the back half of the field versus two quasi-linebackers.

[RealSNR]

Dov Kleiman ‏@NFL_RealUpdates 12m
#Browns will hire former #Redskins offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, per @alexmarvez

Oof.

Poor Browns.

[RealSNR]

RIP Ohio public schools. Jim Tressel? WTF are they teaching children these days?

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Miqa-oFkIBk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Saccopoo]

The NFL has done everything it can to make franchises like the Browns viable. That doesn't guarantee they will ever win anything meaningful, even though they've had a couple of dead cat bounces over the last 15 years. At this point, the Browns brand is so toxic with players that the FO has to overpay to get a decent FA, and they also run the risk of having a draft pick refuse to sign. This is the kind of problem that could take a decade or more to fix, but as a fan of hapless teams, I'd like to think it can be fixed.

http://taylorblitztimes.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/marty-schottenheimer.jpg

[greatgooglymoogly]

http://taylorblitztimes.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/marty-schottenheimer.jpg

...when the Browns were a respected franchise led by a well-regarded owner and knowledgeable personnel managers. Now, their owner is getting sniffed by the FBI and their GM is viewed as a pariah for scapegoating a first-time head coach after one season.

[Saccopoo]

RIP Ohio public schools. Jim Tressel? WTF are they teaching children these days?

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Miqa-oFkIBk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Pretty ****ing good idea, I think.

Better than a bunch of asshat Belicheck/Parcell tree retreads that seem to have locked into the NFL's Civil Service program, i.e., these ****ing losers can never be fired or released from NFL jobs no matter how bad they ****ing suck.

Jim Tressel or this stellar combination of HC/OC:?

http://blog.masslive.com/patriots/2008/11/large_1199993676_1744.jpg
http://media.cleveland.com/browns_impact/photo/8151523-large.jpg

Even the little 10 year old girl knows what is the correct choice.

[RealSNR]

Pretty fucking good idea, I think.

Better than a bunch of asshat Belicheck/Parcell tree retreads that seem to have locked into the NFL's Civil Service program, i.e., these fucking losers can never be fired or released from NFL jobs no matter how bad they fucking suck.

Jim Tressel or Josh McDaniels?

Even the little 10 year old girl knows what is the correct choice.

These kids believe Jim Tressel is a franchise savior.

I don't think that's the case at all.

[Tombstone RJ]

How can anyone possibly defend a man who chose money over fans? It's not like Jacksonville, where the fans aren't there. You're talking about a passionate football fan base.

that old stadium was a piece of crap and those "passionate fans" decided to fund a stadium for their crappy Indians team before they decided to fund a new stadium for the Browns (and only after the original franchised moved).

Modell asked several different times for Cleveland to help build a new stadium and the people and the city voted no. It was only after these same clowns put money into two other franchises (the Indians and the Cavaliers) that Modell moved the team.

Then a few years later Modells team won the SB.

Then a few years later these passionate fans in Cleveland got an expansion team.

Total factory of sadness.

[Saccopoo]

These kids believe Jim Tressel is a franchise savior.

I don't think that's the case at all.

It's better than the alternative in the 2014 market.

Shame all the good up and comers not associated with Parcells/Belicheck were all hired up in 2013.

However, if I was attempting to get a proven, but younger up and comer to revitalize the Browns franchise, I'd fire Lombardi (see above for his immediate disqualification), and hire the Giants' Marc Ross as GM and current Wisconsin head coach Gary Anderson as HC.

[RealSNR]

It's better than the alternative in the 2014 market.

Shame all the good up and comers not associated with Parcells/Belicheck were all hired up in 2013.

However, if I was attempting to get a proven, but younger up and comer to revitalize the Browns franchise, I'd fire Lombardi (see above for his immediate disqualification), and hire the Giants' Marc Ross as GM and current Wisconsin head coach Gary Anderson as HC.

Fuck you. Gary is ours.