Hoyer Will Start

There is no conspiracy or secret trade agenda going on in Cleveland, Brian Hoyer isn’t going anywhere.

Rex was brought in for one reason and it’s actually pretty easy to figure out if people would stop being so damn paranoid all the time. 

Mike Pettine, Kyle Shanahan and Ray Farmer all expected Brian Hoyer to take this system and competition and absolutely crush it but that hasn’t happened.  The plan going into the season was for Hoyer to be far enough ahead of Johnny that it would be easy for the coaches to name him the starter but it hasn’t happened that way.  Brian is struggling.  Whether it’s because of his knee, lack of experience, he can’t grasp the system or he just isn’t what we thought he was.  Either way, at the end of the day Brian needs help and the easiest/best way to do that is to bring in tubby Rex to assist him so that he can be the starter in Pittsburgh for week 1.

The Browns brass has a plan and it is that Brian Hoyer needs to be the starter of this team. For now anyways.

Johnny has shown that he can handle it and can be out there right now.  He is equal to Hoyer in camp but the Browns aren’t ready for him.  Kyle Shanahan saw firsthand what happens when you put a rookie QB in there too early, especially a rookie QB who’s first instinct is to run.  The Browns staff is all about Johnny, he is the future but they want him to understand the offense and know the ins and outs of the offense before they put him in there. 

At this point, the problem with both Hoyer and Manziel is that they aren’t grasping this system yet, it’s too complicated.  So who do you put out there before they are ready?  The rookie phenom or the 6 year vet with 3 starts under his belt?

The other problem is, the coaching staff expected Brian to put his veteran skills to work and figure it out but he hasn’t done so.  The Browns are in a pinch because the people can see that Johnny is the better QB so they want him out there day 1.  The thing the people don’t know is how little Manziel actually knows the system and the play calling.  He is compensating for his lack of knowledge in the system with his athletic ability and that is what will get him hurt.  Athletically, Manziel is the guy but throwing him to the wolves before he is ready would be the biggest mistake Mike Pettine could make at this point. 

Brian Hoyer will be the starter in Pittsburgh for week 1 for good reason.  Stay calm.  When Johnny is 100%  acclimated, he will be in there because he IS the better QB and this IS his team.

20 Years Later Questions Still Remain

By Tommy Dee

1994. It was the last real Super Bowl hope the city of Cleveland had. Sure we can say the 2002 team made the playoffs. Or the 2007 team was a windy day in Cincy from making noise in January. But let's be honest, the Cleveland Browns haven't been the team you grew up loving for 20 years now. Twenty long, miserable years. From Couch to Holcomb to Garcia to Dilfer to Anderson to Quinn to Weeden. Twenty.... long.... years.

The team went into 1994 season following back to back 7-9 seasons under Bill Belichick wondering what they had. After losing in week 2 to Pittsburgh the Browns, led by Vinny Testaverde, ran off 5 straight wins to get to 6-1. An injury to Testaverde that week looked like it could derail the team but the defense carried the team to a 11-5 record, a playoff appearance and a win (the franchise's last). The only real problem with the 1994 team? The same problem the Browns often have had: the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Browns ended the season 0-3 vs. their rivals including a 29-9 playoff loss.

But there were high hopes. Statistically the 1994 Browns were the team's best defense in franchise history. Belichick and Nick Saban had slowly put together a tough group led by Pepper Johnson, Carl Banks & Eric Turner. The offense had actually scored more points than it had since 1987, often aided by field position from the nasty defense. Vinny was making some forget about the fallout of Bernie Kosar. Eric Metcalf was as exciting of a player as the NFL had.

Things looked bright headed into 1995. Sports Illustrated even picked the team to win the AFC. After a brief break the Browns were back as one of the NFL's best.

But things don't always go as planned. Sure the team started out on the right track in 1995 going 3-1. But following a home blowout to the Houston Oilers, dropping the Browns to 4-5, Art Modell dropped the bomb that is still being felt today.

The Browns team name and colors remained but oh so much changed. The fans loyalty not being one of them.

But where would the Cleveland Browns franchise had gone had the team not left? If Modell and the city had ever agreed to either renovate the old stadium or build him a new one? If the defense continued to grow into the NFL's toughest on the cold shores of Lake Erie? If Belichick would grow into the NFL's best coach in Cleveland, not New England?

Those questions will never be answered. We know what's happened in Baltimore. And New England. And Cleveland. None of it good for Browns fans.

But is it time for change here? After 20 long years is this team finally headed in the right direction? Did they finally find their QB in the draft this year? Or did they find him right out of their own backyard? Is one of the game's best WRs going to get off on a technicality? Is this the best Browns defense since 1994?

Better yet, is this the year it all changes? Weird things have been happening in Cleveland. Maybe the best way to answer that last question is to answer it with another question...

Why not?





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Updated Final Mock Draft

Houston Texans - Javedon Clowney DE South Carolina
St. Louis Rams - Sammy Watkins WR Clemson
Jacksonville Jaquars - Johnny Manziel QB Texas A&M
Cleveland Browns - Khalil Mack LB Buffalo
Oakland Raiders - Mike Evans WR Texas A&M
Atlanta Falcons - Greg Robinson OT Auburn
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Blake Bortles QB Central Florida
Minnesota Vikings - Derek Carr QB Fresno State
Buffalo Bills - Calvin Pryor FS Louisville
Detroit Lions - Justin Gilbert CB Oklahoma State
Tennessee Titans - Jake Matthews OT Texas A&M                          
New York Giants - Anthony Barr OLB UCLA
St. Louis Rams - Darqueze Dennard CB Michigan State
Chicago Bears - Aaron Donald DT Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Steelers - Taylor Lewan OT Michigan
Dallas Cowboys - Xavier Su'a-Filo OG UCLA
Baltimore Ravens - Odell Beckham WR LSU
New York Jets - Eric Ebron TE North Carolina
Miami Dolphins - Zach Martin OT Notre Dame
Arizona Cardinals - Teddy Bridgewater QB Louisville
Green Bay Packers - Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix FS Alabama
Philadelphia Eagles - Marqise Lee WR Southern California
Kansas City Chiefs - Dee Ford OLB Auburn
Cincinnati Bengals - Ra'Shede Hageman DT Minnesota
San Diego Chargers - Louis Nix DT Notre Dame

Cleveland Browns - Kelvin Benjamin WR Florida State
New Orleans Saints - Stephen Tuitt DE Notre Dame
Carolina Panthers - Brandin Cooks WR Oregon State
New England Patriots - Timmie Jernigan DT Florida State
San Francisco 49ers - Bradley Roby CB Ohio State
Denver Broncos - Kony Ealy DE Missouri
Seattle Seahawks - Cyrus Kouandjio OT Alabama



Follow me on twitter @brownsfan_dizz

Final Thoughts - Draft 2014

This offseason has been a long, ever changing one.  I have been up and down and left and right on so many different players that I can’t even keep track anymore.  Now that we are 7 days away from the draft I think I have a pretty good lock on things.  I think.  Maybe.

I am 100% all in on Johnny Football.  I think he is the best athlete at the position in this draft.  I think he is the best passer in this draft.  I think he has all the intangibles it takes to be a successful QB in the NFL.  The only thing he doesn’t have is size but what he lacks in size he makes up for with intuition and the will to win.  Johnny is going to bring a spark and tons of energy to some lucky football team on May 8^th and I hope that team is the Browns.

Having said that, I realize he might not be THE guy on the Browns radar so I move to the next best options.

  

I love Sammy Watkins, he is a special receiver but will he help the Browns improve their record?  I don’t see it.  I don’t see Sammy leading this team to the playoffs next year.  Having two #1 receivers isn’t going to change the outcome of a season by that much.  Look at what happened in Atlanta last year.  Look at Detroit, where has Calvin Johnson taken that team?  If the Browns didn’t have Josh Gordon I would be all about spending a top 5 pick on what I think is a future top 5 receiver but we have Gordon so I’m not ready to spend a top pick on a WR.

Now, you want to talk about difference makers?  Look at Clowney and Mack!  Two completely different players but two very dominate players.  With Clowney you get the athletic freak that will eat up defenses based solely on his athletic ability.  Can you imagine if he gains the drive to be the best and puts all his energy into his game and stops loafing around and relying on his athletic ability alone?  Now look at Mack, the kid is fundamentally sound.  His angles, his lean, his positioning and technique can’t be matched by anyone in this draft.  He came out of know where and is going to make a name for himself. 

The one problem I’ve had with drafting an OLB at 4 is the amount of energy focused into the position the last couple of years.  Mingo, Sheard and Kruger made me think twice about adding to the position but I’m over it.  If you can add a talent like Clowney or Mack to your defense, you do it.  You can never have too many pass rushers.

Now what if Manziel is off the board and the goal is still to get a QB at 4? 

Carr?  No thanks.  He is a system QB that dominated a weak Mountain West Conference and struggled mightily when facing a decent USC team in the bowl game.  Carr does have his perks though, calling 90% of Fresno States plays from the line put him in a class of his own in regards to being able to read defenses but in my opinion it isn’t enough to overcome what I think is a below average thrower.  

Teddy?  Not on my watch.  For starters I’ve had concerns about his accuracy for a while and I know we shouldn’t take much from pro days but Teddy really proved my case.  Maybe it has to do with his small hands or his tendencies to sink under pressure, I have no idea.  What I do know is I wouldn’t touch him until the second round so taking him at 4 is completely out of the question.

Bortles?  I still see Bortles as a project QB in terms of I think he’ll need a year or two on the bench in order to perfect his craft.  Having said that, he’s the second best option behind Manziel and the only other QB I’d touch in the first round.  He has all of the tools and the size but is he ready for the next level?

So basically at the end of the day I want Manziel.  Do I want him enough to trade up though?  No.  In a draft that is this deep with talent at the top, I’m not losing future picks.  Manziel, Clowney, Mack and Bortles are at the top of my board.  I want one of those players but there are two other players I wouldn’t mind either, Watkins and Robinson.  Both are the best at their positions in the draft and both would be great additions to the Browns locker room but I don’t think the need is as great as my top 4.  

5 Players I Want To Draft

Johnny Manziel, QB Texas A&M - Love him, hate him, I don't care what you think.  Johnny is going to make some team in the NFL a much better team.  He's exciting, he can make all the throws, he loves this game and he's got the brains.  Size doesn't matter to me, heart and production do.  If the Browns are interested in the next Brett Favre, they better get their hands on Johnny Manziel.

Jace Amaro, TE Texas Tech - Amaro is nasty.  He's got an attitude and swagger to him and he can back it up.  Well, that is if he doesn't have to block anyone.  He was primarily used as a slot receiver in college but could make for a game changing tight end in the NFL.  With a little work and time, i think he could be a top tight end in the league.

Kelvin Benjamin, WR Florida State - I watched a few of his games this season and he impressed me each time but when I saw what a physical specimen this kid was at the combine I couldn't stop thinking about it. Not only is his size impressive but he is athletic too.  Will need to work on holding onto the ball but i would love to see Kelvin line up opposite of Josh Gordon. Gordon 6'3", Benjamin 6'5", Little 6'2" and Cameron 6'5"!  How could defenses match up against that?  Then throw Amaro into the picture too?  Yikes.

Storm Johnson, RB Central Florida - I don't know why but i love the way this kid runs.  He's not the fastest, not even close to being the fastest but he has good burst and can hit the hole fast.  More of a power runner with great balance, i think he could excel in Shanahans offense and battle Ben Tate for the starting job.

Chris Borland, LB Wisconsin - Yeah yeah yeah, he's small but this kid has a huge motor and a ton of drive. I would love to see him next to Dansby and become the leader of this defense down the road.  This kid is fun to watch and has a nose for the ball.

Browns Big Board

1. Johnny Manziel
2. Javedon Clowney
3. Sammy Watkins
4. Greg Robinson
5. Khalil Mack
6. Blake Bortles
7. Jake Matthews
8. Justin Gilbert
9. Anthony Barr
10. Taylor Lewan
11. Eric Ebron
12. Zack Martin
13. Kelvin Benjamin
14. Mike Evans
15. Teddy Bridgewater
16. Darqueze Dennard
17. Calvin Pryor
18. Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix
19. Brandin Cooks
20. CJ Mosely
21. Marqise Lee
22. Jason Verrett
23. Kyle Fuller
24. Dee Ford
25. Derek Carr
26. Xavier Su'a-Filo
27. Ryan Shazier
28. Kony Ealy
29. Bradley Roby
30. Jace Amaro
31. Cyrus Kouandjio
32. Aaron Donald
33. Ra'Shede Hageman
34. Odell Beckham
35. Timmie Jernigan

Final 2014 NFL Mock Draft

Houston Hexans - Javedon Clowney DE South Carolina
St. Louis Sheep - Sammy Watkins WR Clemson
Jacksonville Jagoffs - Johnny Manziel QB Texas A&M

Blake Bortles - Cleveland Browns #4

Cleveland Browns - Blake Bortles QB Central Florida
Oakland Raiduhs - Khalil Mack LB Buffalo
Atlanta Dirty Birds - Greg Robinson OT Auburn
Tampa Bay Suckaneers - Mike Evans WR Texas A&M
Minnesota Viqueens - Derek Carr QB Fresno State
Buffalo Belles - Calvin Pryor FS Louisville
Detroit Kittens - Justin Gilbert CB Oklahoma State
Tennessee Titanics - Jake Matthews OT Texas A&M                             New York Midgets - Anthony Barr OLB UCLA
St. Louis Sheep - Darqueze Dennard CB Michigan State
Chicago Teddy Bears - Aaron Donald DT Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Squeelers - Taylor Lewan OT Michigan
Dallas Plowboys - Xavier Su'a-Filo OG UCLA
Baltimore Crows - Odell Beckham WR LSU
New York USAirways - Dee Ford OLB Auburn
Miami Chum - Zach Martin OT Notre Dame
Arizona Turdinals - Teddy Bridgewater QB Louisville
Green Bay Velveetas - Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix FS Alabama
Philadelphia Pigeons - Marqise Lee WR Southern California
Kansas City Cheats - Brandin Cooks WR Oregon State
Cincinnati Dickholes - Ra'Shede Hageman DT Minnesota
San Diego Sparklers - Louis Nix DT Notre Dame

Eric Ebron - Cleveland Browns #26

Cleveland Browns - Eric Ebron TE North Carolina
New Orleans Shanks - Stephen Tuitt DE Notre Dame
Carolina Pussies - Kelvin Benjamin WR Florida State
New England Pattycakes - Timmie Jernigan DT Florida State
San Francisco Whinners - Bradley Roby CB Ohio State
Denver Doinks - Kony Ealy DE Missouri
Seattle Water Chickens - Cyrus Kouandjio OT Alabama

35. Cleveland Browns - Kyle Fuller CB Virginia Tech
71. Cleveland Browns - Cyril Richardson OG Baylor
83. Cleveland Browns - Donte Moncrief WR Mississippi
106. Cleveland Browns - Shayne Skov ILB Stanford
127. Cleveland Browns - Kenny Ladler S Vanderbilt
145. Cleveland Browns - Storm Johnson RB Central Florida
180. Cleveland Browns - Devin Street WR Pittsburgh
218. Cleveland Browns - Jay Prosch FB Auburn

Byrd is the Ward, Rubin and Mosley

Can the Browns afford to keep TJ Ward and sign Jarius Byrd? As much as i and everyone else would love if that could happen, the chances are almost slim and none.  The idea of paying a Free Safety and Strong Safety a combined total of over $16 millions would be insane.  Look around the league, the highest paid Safety duo right now is in Seattle with Kam Chancellor making $4,725,000 and Earl Thomas making $4,625,000 for a combined total of $9,350,000.  The highest paid individual Safety is Eric Berry in Kansas City at $8,417,000 and i expect Byrd will receive more than that since he's already turned down that kind of money in Buffalo. At the end of the day, i expect that Ward stays in Cleveland and Byrd flies elsewhere.  I maintain that resigning Ward will greatly improve the chances of inking Joe Haden to an extension. Let's say I'm wrong though and Byrd comes to Cleveland, they are going to need a SS because i don't think Jordan Poyer is going to cut it.  Donte wHitner anyone?

If you are one of the ignorant trolls calling for the Browns to cut Rubin, please stop.  Rubin is a piece of the Browns greatest asset, their defensive line.  They have 6 very capable interior linemen that mesh well together and get the job done week in and week out because they keep each other fresh and work well together.  Why in gods name would you want to break up the most cohesive unit on the squad and add the DL position to the list of needs along with QB, RB, WR, DB, OL, and ILB?  To save a little money?  Give me a break, the Browns aren't anywhere close to the cap, let Rubin play out his contract even though he isn't playing at the level he's getting paid at. Keep this unit together.

NFL Draft 2014.  I'm sick of thinking about it, my mind is mush.  The QB's are all overrated and will go higher than they should.  Clowney maybe the top prospect in the draft but he's also one of the biggest risks.   Sammy Watkins should be a great WR at the next level but face it, WR isn't a huge need for the Browns. Mack is intriguing but i don't think OLB is a high priority.  We don't need a LT so OL isn't going to happen early.  So, what should we expect then?  CJ Mosley.  The Browns will have him rated much higher than any of us would expect because they don't have an ILB at this point and the ILB is a pretty important position on the field.  I don't count out the possibility that the Browns reach for him at 4 but the more logical plan would be to drop down a few spots and pick him up there.  It is very possibly that a team is going to want to move up when their QB, Clowney or Watkins slips to 4.  Wishful thinking but it makes sense and i can see it happening.

3 Way Mock Draft

Now that the NFL Combine is over, it is time to let my mock draft obsessions show.  I change my mind daily on which direction I think the Browns should go with the 4th pick.  QB? Sammy? or Clowney?

So I decided to do 3 different drafts, so I could see the full spectrum of possibilities and end results.

You decide which one you would prefer.

4 DE JADEVEON CLOWNEY SOUTH CAROLINA

26 CB JUSTIN GILBERT OKLAHOMA STATE

35 WR KELVIN BENJAMIN FLORIDA STATE

71 ILB CHRIS BORLAND WISCONSIN

83 QB ZACH METTENBERGER LSU

102 RB CARLOS HYDE OHIO STATE

123 DE GEORGE UKO USC

133 G WESLEY JOHNSON VANDERBILT

164 CB CHRIS DAVIS AUBURN

195 FB J.C. COPELAND LSU

  4 QB JOHNNY MANZIEL TEXAS A&M

26 S HA’SEAN CLINTON-DIX ALABAMA

35 WR KELVIN BENJAMIN FLORIDA STATE

71 ILB CHRIS BORLAND WISCONSIN

83 G CYRIL RICHARDSON BAYLOR

102 DT ANTHONY JOHNSON LSU

123 CB KEITH MCGILL UTAH

133 QB A.J. MCCARRON ALABAMA

164 RB STORM JOHNSON UCF

195 FB J.C. COPELAND LSU


  4 WR SAMMY WATKINS CLEMSON

26 DE KONY EALY MISSOURI

35 TE JACE AMARO TEXAS TECH

71 CB E.J. GAINES MISSOURI

83 ILB SHAYNE SKOV STANFORD

102 RB LACHE SEASTRUNK BAYLOR

123 S DION BAILEY USC

133 QB A.J. MCCARRON ALABAMA

164 CB CHRIS DAVIS AUBURN

195 FB J.C. COPELAND LSU


Discuss it w/Ben on Twitter: @brownsfan_dizz

or on our board:

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2014 Mid-Combine NFL Mock Draft

By Tommy Dee

Why the hell not...

1. Texans - Blake Bortles, QB UCF - Surprise! They need a franchise QB & take the biggest available.
2. Rams - Greg Robinson, OT Auburn
3. Jaguars - Teddy Bridgewater, QB Louisville - Exactly what this poor franchise needs.
4. Browns - Jadeveon Clowney, DE South Carolina - Need a QB & could use a playmaking WR. But they go BPA. A worthy gamble.

5. Raiders - Sammy Watkins, WR Clemson
6. Falcons - Jake Matthews, OT Texas A&M
7. Buccaneers - Anthony Barr, OLB UCLA

8. Vikings - Johnny Manziel, QB Texas A&M - A slide? Maybe. Maybe it was all hype. Perfect fit here.
9. Bills - Khalil Mack, OLB Buffalo
10.Lions - Justin Gilbert, CB Oklahoma St
11.Titans - CJ Mosley, OLB Alabama
12.Giants - Taylor Lewan, OT Michigan
13.Rams - Mike Evans, WR Texas A&M
14.Bears - Timmy Jernigan, DT Florida St.
15.Steelers - Darqueze Denard, CB Michigan St.
16.Cowboys - Ha Ha Clinton Dix, CB Alabama
17.Ravens - Marquis Lee, WR USC
18.Jets - Eric Ebron, TE North Carolina
19.Dolphins - Zack Martin OT Notre Dame
20.Cardinals - Marcus Moses, OT Virginia
21.Packers - Calvin Pryor, FS Louisville
22.Eagles - Bradley Roby, CB Ohio State
23.Chiefs - Brandin Cooks, WR Oregon State
24.Bengals - Kony Ealy, DE Missouri
25.Chargers - Jason Verrett, CB TCU

26.Browns - Kelvin Benjamin, WR Florida State - They need another playmaker? Well they get it here.
27.Saints - Stephon Tuitt, DE Nore Dame
28.Panthers - Odell Beckham, WR LSU
29.Patriots - Jace Amaro, TE Texas Tech
30.49ers - Louis Nix, DT Notre Dame
31.Broncos - Ra'shede Hageman, DT Minnesota
32.Seahawks - David Yankey, OG Stanford

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Other Browns picks:

35. A.J. McCarron, QB Alabama - This should send some to the 480 Bridge. Until he wins.

71. Gabe Jackson, OG Mississippi State
83. Chris Borland, LB Wisconsin - Say he is too small. Then watch him play. You'll see.

102. Lache Seastrunk, RB Baylor
123. Pierre Desir, CB Lindenwood
133. Caraun Reid, DT Princeton
164. Tyler Larson, C Utah
195. Ron Powell, OLB Florida

Discuss it w/ Tommy Dee on Twitter: @Tommy__Dee

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Joe Banner, meet the Door

Back on January 13^th I mentioned that Joe Banner and Mike Lombardi needed to be shown the door and that Ray Farmer should be promoted in order to right this sinking ship. 

Well, almost exactly a month later Jimmy Haslam has decided he’s seen enough.  Apparently Joe Banner and Jimmy Haslam weren't seeing eye to eye during the coaching search so Jimmy did some digging and came to the conclusion that Joe's personality and poor attitude were keeping coaches away. 

Joe Banner and Mike Lombardi are out, Alec Scheiner and Ray Farmer are in.  Alec will continue his role as President and maintain the business side of the operation and Ray will take over as GM and take control of the draft and the 53 man roster.  Farmer, Scheiner and Pettine will all report directly to Jimmy.  Newly hired assistant GM Bill Kuharich, former Chiefs VP of Player Personnel will report to Ray Farmer. 

This is great news for Cleveland fans for a number of reasons but mostly because we now have a “football” guy in charge of football things (the 53 man roster) and a "business" guy in charge of business things.  No more colluding and micromanaging from a Napoleon wanna be.

Farmer may be young and a first time GM but one thing I can guarantee you is that he isn’t and won’t be looked at in the same way that Joe Banner was.  Ray is well respected in this league and will help to resurrect the image of this organization.

So, what is in store for the near future, specifically the draft and free agency? 

First of all I think the odds of TJ Ward and Alex Mack both being resigned (or tagged) just increased greatly. The top priority on Farmers list of things to do should be to get Joe Haden and TJ Ward locked up for the long term, which I think will happen before the combine starts.  The second thing on his list should be to figure out the QB situation and in case you are wondering what type of QB Farmer likes, Mariotta was his top QB until he decided to return to Oregon.  

So we’ve got a rookie Head Coach and a rookie GM now in Cleveland but I’ve got to believe this team is in much better shape now than it has been in quite some time and I feel good about our future.  The cancer also known as Joe Banner is gone.  No more scaring away talent, no more blame game and no more power hungry BS.  The future looks good and the only thing left to do is to win. 

Phase 2: QB

Phase 1 of the important offseason decisions is complete.  The head coach and coordinators have been hired, now it’s time to move onto the next most important decision, QB.  What does the future hold concerning the QB position in Cleveland?  Do the Browns ride the Hoyer train, draft a guy, or pluck someone from another team’s roster? 

So what are the options?

1.  Draft – There are 3 guys in the upcoming draft that I expect to be franchise QB’s in the NFL for years to come.  Teddy Bridgewater, Johnny Manziel and Blake Bortles.  All three bring completely different things to the table.

• Johnny.   My #1 has all the tools and athletic ability you look for in a QB.  He’s smart, he has the arm strength and accuracy, he can make things happen and his mechanics are manageable but he doesn’t have the size which I’m able to look past although there are many that cannot.
• Teddy.   I like the guy.  He makes solid decisions and he has the size and mechanics that you want in an NFL QB.   I worry about his accuracy on the intermediate routes and his arm strength though.  It also appears that his hand size could be an issue but at the end of the day Teddy should be a good one.
• Bortles.  He is a wild card at 4 for me and I’m not sure I could pull the trigger on him.  I like him, I like everything about his game but I think he’ll need to sit for a couple years before he’ll be ready to be thrown in the driver’s seat. The question is if the Browns have that kind of time?

2.  KING HOYER.  Could it be time to jump on the Hoyer train and ride that bad boy across the country? Hoyer and Kirk Cousins play a similar game so it could be possible that Kyle Shanahan told the Browns FO that Hoyer is the guy for the job and he can make it work.  Even though Kirk Cousins never really made it work in Washington except for when he played against the Browns.

This isn’t the ideal situation but it’s not out of the question either.  The Browns could bring a guy in from the draft to challenge for the starting job, someone like AJ McCarron or Jimmy Garoppolo after the 2^nd round.

There are also some low tier free agents that will be available like Matt Cassell, Chad Henne, and Mike Vick that could all come in and back up the King.

3.  Trade/free agent – With Shanahan coming here and Kirk Cousins wanting out of Washington, I don’t think it’s that farfetched of an idea for him to land in Cleveland.  Is it an ideal situation?  Not if you ask me but I guess it could be worse.  Brandon Weeden could still be here.

The problem I see here is you have another stupid QB competition with two unproven QB’s that appear to be the same player, it could cause problems.   I think if the Browns are going to trade for someone or sign a free agent they should expand their mind a little bit and think outside of the box.  Go after Matt Schaub or Ryan Mallet.  Schaub has been a top 10 QB in this league for 6 out of his 7 years in the league as a starter, I don’t think his career is quite over yet and there is a chance that Houston lets him go.

As far as Mallet goes, I’m sick of hearing his name and talking about him but the option is there so we can just leave it at that.

At the end of the day the most important thing that needs to happen is Brandon Weeden and Jason Campbell need to be released from the team and unless someone throws a great offer at us for Hoyer, he deserves to stick around.  It’s time to move on to phase 2 and get this QB situation right at all costs and the best way to do that would be to draft Johnny Football or Teddy Bridgewater at 4, back him up with Brian Hoyer and draft a kid in or after the fifth round. 

Senior Bowl Thoughts

By Tommy Dee


Just some random thoughts on players after watching the game..........

Jimmy Garoppolo, QB Eastern Illinois - I love the way this kid squares his shoulders and makes quick decisions. I don't expect him to go top 20 but he belongs in the top 35. Has a legit shot to be a franchise QB.

Zack Martin, LT Notre Dame - Good technique LT that has the ability to hold down the LT spot for a team. Won't be elite and might not belong as top 15 pick but is not that far behind the other 2 LT's in this draft.

Chris Borland, LB Wisconsin - I don't care what mocks say, this kid is going to be special in the NFL. He's a ball hunter & has everything you want in a LB. Has the instincts & the awareness. Don't wait to pick him.

Jordan Matthews, WR Vanderbilt - Didn't really do much in the game but did show on one play exactly why he is a top round talent. Knows how to run routes & get separation. Doesn't blow you away but should be a good pro WR.

Dee Ford, DE/LB Auburn - Improved stock greatly in the last month. So quick. Looks like he knows exactly how to get to the QB. Where does he get picked? Seemed like a 3rd a month ago now he has to be rising. Bruce Irvin part 2? Smart player. Knows when to rush, when to drop.

Caraun Reid, DT Princeton - Might have helped himself more than anyone Saturday. Showed a lot at the interior position. Good moves and quickness from the defensive tackle position which is always a need.

Derek Carr, QB Fresno - Just not impressed at all with this kid. Everything seems to be short. He loves the screen. When I've seen him see pressure? Yikes. He did nothing in this game to change those thoughts. Should be 3rd but will likely go sooner.

Tajh Boyd, QB Clemson - Did nothing to make the skeptics feel better. Had balls batted down making the height a concern. Was not accurate or consistent. He has arm strength & rushing ability. Might be a backup NFL QB.

Logan Thomas, QB Virginia Tech - He has all the skills you want but he for whatever reason still looks raw & easily confused. Worried he is just not that smart.

Keith McGill, CB Utah - If you like big CBs like the Seahawks have then this is a kid to watch out for at 6'3". Very athletic for that size, might be a riser from the mid rounds towards more of the 2nd.

Jimmie Ward, S Northern Illinois - Safety has become a more valuable position as time has gone on & obviously you need to bring one of two qualities - be able to tackle & hit like a LB or cover like a CB. Ward is the latter.

Stephen Morris, QB Miami - This QB should be so much better than he is. He has all the size and ability you want but regressed over the years.

David Fales, QB San Jose St. - Seems like a good decision maker but his arm strength is concerning. Good size will help him. Likely a backup QB at best.

James White, RB Wisconsin - The only RB that stood out to me as my favorite RBs were not in this game. Seems like a solid back with good vision.

NFL Playoff Preview

January 10th and the Browns aren't around. So let's talk about the teams that actually are alive.

Odds:

Saints

@

Seahawks - 7.5


Colts

@

Patriots -7


49ers -1

@

Panthers


Chargers

@

Broncos -9


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So what do we expect?

The Saints got blown out by the Seahawks earlier in the same venue. Will it happen again? Doubtful. The Saints D is playing better and Russell Wilson is playing worse. Keep in mind Percy Harvin is expected to play, that could be huge. But more than anything? Look at the weather. Windy as hell and rainy. Ask anyone who that favors along with the noise and it favors the Seahawks. Close though.

Bet: Saints to cover, but Seahawks to win the game.


The Colts are kinda reminding us of a certain Joe Flacco led team last year. Amazing that they are still here at this point after being down 28 last week. Then everything went their way. Will it end the same way as it did for Baltimore? It might not be time to go that far but why can't Andrew Luck go into New England and win? Belicheck might take away Hilton but watch out for Luck's legs.

Bet: Colts to cover, and Colts to win the game.


The Panthers beat the 49ers earlier this year in a classic defensive battle. Now fresh off a bye, rested and ready to host the 49ers for the right to go to the NFC title game this should go Carolina's way. Right? Or have the 49ers found their stride more so than any other team in the last few weeks and have Michael Crabtree to show the Panthers why the 49ers weren't at their best last time?

Bet: 49ers to cover, and 49ers to win the game.

The Chargers are the last team the Broncos want to see. This week. Last week. The week before. Why? They know exactly how to beat them. As a division foe they got the formula down: run the ball, pass the ball, do whatever to take control of time of possession, and make Denver beat you win the run. They have every piece to make this formula work. It will be close but Manning denies the upset.

Bet: Chargers to cover, but Broncos to win the the game.


Expect 4 great games. If you want to moneyline? Go Seahawks, Colts, 49ers, & Broncos as I predict seeing the Colts @ Broncos and the 49ers @ Seahawks in 2 games that have a lot of subplots leading to the Super Bowl in New York.

Enjoy folks, as its almost done.