Free Agency

That is a big if concerning the CBA though...

Assuming it does get done, I wouldn't mind seeing us pick up younger FA offensive linemen.  What do you think about Marshall Yanda and/or Adam Terry?  Weaken a division rival while improving our line, and it would help with the run blocking on the right side too.  I like Scheffler, depending on the contract.  Or what about a guy like Carlos Rodgers of the Redskins? Young, talented guy to push McDonald to the nickel.

As far as free agency goes it'l be hard to see who we'd go for until we know what were going to do in the draft. But obviously we have need at basically every position. I'd like to see us get a good CB in free agency because drafting them in the later rounds isnt cutting it and we cant afford to get one in the 1st round. Luckily there's going to be a lot of young cbs in the free agency. I would like to see us grab Tramon Williams of the Green Bay packers. He doesn't get to start in GB because of the great CBs they have but he will now cause of injuries and I think he'll do a great job and we need a starter worthy corner. 

Getting a beast at RT and/or RG along with a guy like Rodgers could put us above average alone. Our oline realy came togethr at the years end and with some good FA pick ups for the right side and another RB we should see a 1600 to 1800 yard guy no problo. Rodgers or another good CB would do us some justice aswell.

We realy could use a defensive machine that can lead and beast it on the feild. The divisions getting old and we are the future I garantee it.

I'd like to see us get Antoine Beathea. I heard somewhere the Colts wont try to keep him. He definitely would be a substantial upgrade over Abe Elam. If we end up drafting Haden and Mays we'd have a great secondary with Beathea in there. 

As far as the trade goes between Josh Cribbs and Brady Quinn for Brandon Marshll goes,it sounded to me like Marshall said that all of the squabbling between he and the kid coach are over.He said he was happy,and wants to have a long carrer in Denver.So who knows?
  It started JC and picks,then went to JC and BQ,for Marshall.With the fear JC puts in the AFC north rivals,I wouldn't trade him.Not even straight up.BQ and a third sounds better.But they wouldn't do that.
  They want JC?

  How about JC and BQ for Marshall and Sheffler?

  I like that.Just draft Kent State fastest guy for next year.Or invite him to camp,at least.

   Did anyone notice three Kent State guys were at the Pro Bowl? Plus John Carolls' London Fletcher.

Josh Cribbs was involved in the trade talks last year, not this year. It'l probably be Brady and one of our 3rd rounders but we'll see. I would definitely do that and couldn't care less if Quinn succeeds in Denver. I wonder how much Baltimore would ask for Troy Smith, I'd love to see him come to cleveland and be the QB of the future but thats probably just wishful thinking even if we did get him. I think that even if Quinn is traded we should cut DA. Even if he can come close to completing atleast 55% of his passes, he makes more then Donovan McNabb. Lets take advantage of the uncapped year and get ride of him without penalty. I'm starting to think keeping Quinn and Anderson is just holding onto the cancer that the Browns were, even if it means we have to watch an aging vet for a year.  

And how about that Ohio talent

After I wrote that one name popped in my head Chad Pennington. He has worked with Mangini before and was most recently was with Holmgrens good friend Bill Parcells. He's 33 so he's the right age to mentor a young QB and he has a good completion percentage which is what we need the most right now from our QB. We will have a really good offensive line next year so he wont have to get hit too much and he should't demand much of a contract. Something to think about...

Duh.I read an old thread.It looked more legit than just BQ and a third for Marshall.I don't see how they could go from that to this,though.We should jump on it,if it's true.But I don't see how they would give up Marshall for BQ,unless they're cutting payroll.Why wouldn't they just draft LeFevour,or someone like that?
   If the Broncos like that deal......How about McDonald for Scheffler?

Who would want Brandy McDonald?

:P

I just try to use Brandy whenever I can.

When watching the pro bowl, Suzie Colber (Not the correct spelling) and Brandon Marshall had a laugh after the interview about dodging the questions abouthim staying in Denver.  My assessment of that means it is highly probable he is gone.  I could not tell you for whom.  Extremely positive if they can get him.   I think that I would be happier if we could get Scheffler from the Broncos.  Less of a headache and someone that can run up the seam. 

   I saw that sideline interview,and Marshall said that he and Josh"Brandy"McDaniels(wonderboy) have talked since the benching for the last game,and have put that behind them.He also said that he's happy in Denver,and would love to have a long career there.(Now that he's an RFA,and not a FA)
   Which could all be hogwash.I wouldn't trust Marshall further than I can throw him.But he sounded sincere.He's an RFA,so he'll command a 1st and a 3rd.No thanks.
   I'd like to get them both,but,I won't hold my breath.

I dont see Scheffler coming here, Denver cant give away ALL their good players.

I think Marshall saying what he said shows that he doesn't actually want to stay there but its a step in the right direction of becoming not such a diva. 

Carlos Dansby of the Arizona Cardinals would be a good pick up for us.  Why haven't I heard anything about him?  He is a Unrestricted free agent as well as Dunta Robinson.  Tell me what you think.   

I would take either guy, I think the FA speculation will turn up after the super bowl. But I expect Dansby to be brought back by the Cardinals 

I just read an article written by Terry Pluto and he says the Browns like 3 of the players on the secondary. Those players are Eric Wright, Abe Elam and Mike Adams. Although they only like Wright as a starter. They want Adams and Elam on the team as backups. I'd expect a lot of DB additions in the offseason. Between the draft and free agency this is the amount of players I see us needing.

DBs=3 (It will probably be more but we need at least 2)
LBs= 2 (2 seems fine here but I hope Maivia continues to improve)
OL- 2 (We need a starter at RT and we need more competition for the RG position) 
DL- 1 (I like our d-line but it needs to start to get younger, if we trade Rogers we will need more)
WR- 2 (we will probably need to bring in a veteran and another young guy)
TE- 1 (get ride of Royal and lets replace him with either someone in the draft or a cheaper FA)
QB- 2 (Anderson needs to be cut and Quinn will probably be traded)

This really makes me excited for next season. We have 11 draft picks, money to spend in Free Agency and for the first time since we came back the right people to pick the players!

I  am cautiously optimistic.Just like last year. Everything needs to go as planned.That's alot of ifs.

  It is exciting to see we're headed for some change,around here.I just read another rumor about us going after McNabb.The stink;he's due a 6.2mil guaranteed roster bonus on 5/5(why cinco de mayo?),on top of his 5mil salary.
  Well,it is about to become a cap free year.It's not my money.Why not?Unless we can do better.Hopefully,they'll be willing to deal for Kolb.He's only scheduled to make 550k next year.
   They signed Sean Jones last year,so why not Brandy McDonald this year?Brandy for Kevin.:)

As for Savage being a great talent evaluator,I think it's luck as much as it is talent.You go with what's best,with the knowledge you have.Tomorrow is a different day,and things change.That's why Cribbs wasn't drafted.I have always heard of picks during Savages time here referred to as Savages' picks,too.
  During his days in Baltimore,and since 1996,when he took Ogden and Lewis,all Ravens picks are referred to as Newsomes' picks.So it's tough to say how good Savage is.Can somebody pop off a call/e-mail to Ozzie,and ask?

       Just looking back to the "07" draft,and if we just don't go after BQ,Kevin Kolb is sitting there with our second pick.Remember,in the deal with Dallas,we also swapped second rounders.Philly then traded with Dallas,and took Kolb...And we still get our first rounder,in "08".

       Savage always recieved praise right after his drafts with the Browns.It was only later,that they've been downgraded.

So I watched the All-Star challenge, the thing it did for me most was secure my hatred of Jevan Snead. I don't remember that last time I wanted a player less. Shipley looked very solid as well and seemed like a Mangini guy. To me Zac Robinson looked good but seemed like his potential was to be a very good backup, but Holmgren could probably tutor me into a D-111 starter so if he wants to pick him I trust it. But for now in my mind Lefevour has the edge. 

 They all showed potential,but they all look like they'll need to improve alot to get to the NFL starter level.Only Bradford and Claussen look like they have a chance to succeed.I'd be surprised if anyone besides those two start anywhere,next year.