Re-Sign or Release: Manny Harris
May 10, 2011Da Clip Show: Keeping an Eye on the Tribe’s AAA Squad – 5/10/11
May 10, 2011Once again we welcome free-lance journalist Mark Leonard to share his thoughts on the NFL and the Browns. Mark is from Lorain and grew up a Cleveland fan. You can find his other WFNY guest pieces here.
The NFL draft is over, completed roughly a week ago. That talent infusion has now been exhausted. Will this be as good as it gets?
Quite possibly, it is. With the sport in legal strife, trades and free agent signings are prohibited. It is not even clear which veterans are (or aren’t) free agents. Is it enough to have four seasons in the league or must one have six?
Without that detail clarified, one can’t even evaluate how essential was Stanford FB Owen Maricec’s selection. Is Lawrence Vickers, a five-year veteran, still exclusively Browns’ property or is he not?
Much has been sufficiently made of how damaged are organizations such as Cleveland’s because of this ownership vs. players disagreement. The Browns are one of the clubs with a first-year coaching staff. Given the state of the game, those are particularly hurt by the inability to conduct mini-camps, OTAs and meetings with in-house personnel. They cannot fully install the offenses or defenses, both of which happen to be completely new in Cleveland’s case, of course.
And, like all professional clubs, the Browns cannot sign draftees, recruit undrafted free agents or negotiate with unsigned vets. All business, now that the draft has been conducted, is frozen.
What’s next? No one knows.
Mock drafts for 2012 are presently being circulated, so lean is league news. Draft orders vary, dependent upon whether one employs last year’s standings or mythological power-polls. Accordingly, the Browns may be picking first, third, sixth or virtually anywhere through 32.
Yes, it’s absurd and ridiculous. But you already know and have concluded as much.
Making circumstances all the more frustrating is that this might’ve otherwise been a remarkable year for the Browns to be liquidating some of their suddenly-expendable assets. Just as Cleveland is leaving one system behind in favor of another, so, too, are other teams.
Whereas the Browns are converting from the 3-4 to the 4-3, there are clubs moving in the opposite direction. Houston, for example, is forsaking the 4-3 for the 3-4. In other words, it would be conceivable the two organizations might cooperate in an exchange of now-ill-fitting personnel.
The Texans no longer have use for system-specific 4-3 personnel, much as the Browns no longer cherish 3-4 individuals. Houston might be packaging for the North Coast players like pass-rushing DE Mark Anderson and 3-technique DT Amobi Okoye, perhaps receiving in return pieces such as Derreck Robinson, Titus Adams, Jason Trusnik and Ko Quaye. In the process, maybe Cleveland also gets the deposed Steve Slaton, a speedster who’d make a fine change-of-pace RB in its Peyton Hillis-Monterio Hardesty backfield.
OLB Matt Roth has a full six seasons in, so he cannot be dealt; but Vickers—shopped with fellow restricted free-agents Abram Elam, Chansi Stuckey and Brian Schaefering—might have loosened from Minnesota assets like DE Ray Edwards, CF-type FS Madieu Williams and deep-threat WR Bernard Berrian.
Armed with a feature-back like Adrian Peterson and burdened with about 18 free agents, the Vikes might appreciate an offer such as that, much as the Texans would probably enjoy getting respectable 3-4 compensation for their potentially-valuable 4-3 DLs.
Additionally, there are coverage OLBs who’d be hitting the market from West Coast outfits, players who’d factor well with a defense converting to the 4-3 and in search of weakside starters. San Diego’s Kevin Burnett and Oakland’s Thomas Howard both run well and are in the midst of their prime years.
For their still-shaky OL, the Browns might find solace in the availabilities of Tampa Bay Buccaneers Jeremy Trueblood and Davin Joseph. Similarly, wouldn’t one imagine Texans’ DC Wade Phillips would like to avail himself of his most recent LDE, Dallas’ Marcus Spears? Or Jets’ castoff Shaun Ellis? Or maybe even former Brown Kenyon Coleman?
Outstanding 4-3 MLB options exist in Nick Barnett and Barrett Ruud, as well as in Steven Tulloch, Quincy Black and Kirk Morrison. Among the DL viabilities are Tommie Harris, Justin Bannon, Barry Cofield and the Jenkins brothers, Kris and Cullen. Don’t you suppose there is at least one GM thinking in terms of a package deal for those two?
Might Eric Wright have been bartered for Carolina’s Richard Marshall? Safeties Chris Hope and Michael Huff would’ve found a market for themselves, maybe even as a tandem. And wouldn’t it be wild to witness the bidding on longtime Raider CB Nmamdi Asomugha?
The average NFL fan has yet to miss a single game, even of the practice variety, yet he’s been deprived nonetheless. Damage may not quite be irreparable, as both the players and owners contest to maintain is true for themselves. But it is undeniable.
Some are even left to read nonsense articles like this one in place of authentic sports news.
——————
One thought which must be revisited, based upon events of draft weekend, is the imagined departure of 12-year veteran DL Robaire Smith. Whereas it had been assumed the Browns would probably prefer to go young up front and allow the old pro to move along to greener pastures in his fading career, possibly positioning himself with a 3-4 winner, it may now be Robaire will be retained for a variety of reasons.
Rather than pairing former NT Ahtyba Rubin with a quick penetrator, the team seems intent upon having interchangeable giants inside, evidenced by the drafting of Baylor’s 335-pound Phil Taylor. This indicates there will not be a wholesale reconstruction emphasizing lighter, more mobile athletes able to enhance team speed. And it suggests there is a still a place for a rugged space-eater like Smith.
He’d rotate with Taylor and Rubin, as well as with returnee Travis Ivey, while contributing sage leadership, influence, run-stuffing and professional discipline, bringing along the youngsters surrounding himself.
Robaire is among those most familiar with Shurmur, of course, having played under him when the coach was a graduate assistant at their alma mater, Michigan State. No doubt, Robaire is also accustomed to some of the principles employed by new Def-Coor Dick Jauron and top aide Ray Rhodes. Though there have been indications his aged frame is breaking down, exemplified by the back injury sustained early last year, Robaire may be occasionally relied upon for sizeable impact given the direction Jauron is taking his D-line.
———————-
A genuine negative of last week’s Browns’ draft was its inability to address one of the club’s foremost and persistent flaws. Nothing whatsoever was done about the club’s lack of suddeness on the offensive side of the football.
Though this year’s edition figures not to again be the sport’s oldest, it remains one of its slowest, a deficiency particularly apparent when it possesses the ball. Who must oppositional DC’s prepare for? Who keeps them up at night? Who threatens them deep? Who opens things for his teammates? Who can score from anywhere on the field? Who will attract the attention of opposing secondaries? Who can explode from the blocks, elude tacklers, operate in space and frighten opponents?
Scoring touchdowns has not been an organizational forte over recent seasons. Even with teams forced last autumn to focus upon the bullish thrusts of big-back Hillis, the cast was unable to distinguish itself, beyond the similarly-predictable achievements of TE Benjamin Watson.
That nothing of substance was done to rectify this distressing truth ranks as the singularly most alarming development of draft weekend, at least insofar as Browns’ interests are concerned. Perhaps that remedy was sacrificed with the third-rounder that secured Taylor’s services.
————————-
Lastly, it again happened that an imagined Browns’ draft class went nearly en masse to another organization.
In 2005, it had been hoped then-GM Phil Savage would deal-down from pick 3 overall in order to come out of Round One with Troy OLB DeMarcus Ware and LSU DE Marcus Spears, followed by the selections of Virginia DE Chris Canty and Minnesota RB Marion Barber. All became Cowboys instead.
This spring, UNC DT Marvin Austin, Troy slot-receiver Jerrel Jernigan, Indiana OT James Brewer and Michigan State MLB Greg Jones had, at different times, populated this writer’s pre-draft wish lists for Cleveland. All are now Giants.
So, the psychic projection system seems to be functional. It’s simply errantly directed.
(Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)
20 Comments
Free agent news is driving me crazy. The Browns could really make this year a year to bring in some key guys and start slugging with the other heavy hitters in our division, but who knows how much time they’ll have to actually do so? Bah.
the way i see it is that the Browns have saved SOOOO much money by trading out of the top-5 the last few seasons that they MUST spend some this season – especially before there are rookie salary slots like in the NBA.
I’m not sure you can really say Robaire Smith played “under Shurmur” at Michigan State when Shurmur was a grad assistant. Grad assistants are a step above the trainers… maybe a half-step.
KEEP VICKERS!
The man charged with guiding the fortunes of the Browns, Mike Holmgren, is the one responsible for putting the team into this precarious but totally predictable situation.
Holmgren knew (or should have known if he were competent) when he took the helm of the team that the league was headed toward a predictably long labor dispute beginning in March of this year. The high probability of a protracted work stoppage was clearly on the horizon.
As everyone knows, Holmgren is a West Coast Offense/4-3 defense guy. He inherited a 3-4 defense/run oriented offense head coach (Mangini). This was not a match made in heaven from the get go.
What did Holmgren do? Did he come in and act decisively and put His program in place? No, he dithered away 2010 and put the franchise through massive change at the worst possible time. He changed the coaching staff, the offensive scheme and the defensive scheme in a year where a 9th grader could have predicted he’d have no mini-camps, OTAs or off season meetings with in-house personnel. He effectively wasted the 2010 season & put the 2011 season in harms way with his pathetic strategic planning & execution.
If Holmgren were a General in the Army, he’d be relieved of his command for such obvious blundering.
@5: not sure that this situation is precarious. Doubt Browns could have seriously competed by this year had he gutted everything last year. Holmgren took a year to assess what he had from close range, including coaches. He also to adjust to his own new position. So now he and Heckert see Mangini is no game day coach, Vickers has hands unsuitable for the WCO, Rogers is irredeemable, and they go from there. Heckert will get his FAs eventually and there will be another draft. Personally, I’ve waited this long, no prob with another year of getting the pieces set up if we are going in the right direction. And feels like we are.
I wouldn’t go overboard by saying that Holmgren put 2011 at risk by sticking with Mangini through 2010. He probably thought, as many of us did at the time, that the team showed improvement at the end of the year under Mangini, and a coach should get more than 1 season to improve a team.
Also, you can’t talk about the Browns being hurt by the work stoppage like they’re being hurt more than other teams. Every team is being hurt, and thus, the effect is essentially neutral. Sure, a couple teams with long-established superstars might not be hurt quite as much, but they would be several steps ahead of the Browns anyway.
Every team does a bit of rebuilding in the off-season. The Browns just need to do a bit more than most, and that wouldn’t have changed had their not been a work stoppage.
“I’ve waited this long, no prob with another year of getting the pieces set up if we are going in the right direction.”
Nothing enrages me more than our towns just blind faith and willingness to continue to pay for outrageous PSL’s AND season tickets, merchandise, etc. for a team that has been in a 11 year “re-build” mode but unwillingness to support the tribe until it looks like we will be playing in October.
the tribe are playoff contenders every 3-4 years while the Browns continue to basement dwell and promise changes. yet we cant seem to support the tribe until August and it looks like they will be playing in October.
not coming at you in a harsh way Harv; it just seems like that sentence has been the general battlecry for the Browns fanbase for too long.
and again Harv, no personal attack intended.
Also, put me in the camp that thinks Vickers could be expendable. I like him as much as the next guy, but you just don’t pay big money to fullbacks. You do what the Browns did…draft a replacement every few years. Plus, this Stanford kid is supposed to have better hands than Vickers, right?
@ Christopher…
I don’t think you’re way off. Under the NFL salary cap, the new Browns should have accidentally had a team win the division or at least win a playoff game by now.
As far as PSL’s are concerned, those will continue to exist as long as people are willing to pay for them. In Cleveland’s case, I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting for them to go away.
@7 I have to disagree with you strongly regarding the degree to which the lockout hurts the Browns. Teams with established coaching staffs, stable rosters, and consistent philosophies might well find the lockout to be nothing more than some extra time off and easy to overcome. This organization lacks each of those critical elements. While I don’t share the rather alarmist take offered @5, I do believe we stand to lose more than most franchises in this situation. And while I, like Harv mentioned @6, am content with waiting for the pieces to fall in place now that we seem settled up top, the lockout absolutely hurts us in that process.
Okay, who else would be just fine if the 2011 season never happens? Just me? Let’s see those hands.
Not really sure I want to see our guys take a year of physical abuse in a throw-away season (which this season absolutely will be). Let’s extend their playing life for a year while we get our house in order.
Lock out! Lock out! Lock out! Come on . . . Lock out! Lock out!
(I’m only partly kidding.)
@ Christopher: no worries at all. I sometimes vehemently disagree with that sentiment myself. But what I’m feeling now with the Browns: Heckert’s track record, obvious competence and plumber-like, non-egotistical demeanor have induced me assume a sort of fan’s lotus position. If Holmgren leaves him alone everything will be all right. That’s what my sports soul tells me now.
[BTW, I’ll match my “WFNY” bona fides against anyone who reads this blog. Maybe some have equalled but doubtful anyone has exceeded the amount of precious hours I’ve wasted watching ultimately hopeless local pro teams. But if the guy who evaluates and procures personnel is right, be patient, my friend.]
@Harv
I totally agree with you that i feel much better with Holmgren and Heckert running the show versus the absolute comedians we have given the steering wheel to in the past.
I dont think that the 2010 year was wasted at all and in fact was a necessary changeover year vital to the future success of the team.
Holmgren knew he didnt have the pieces anywhere near in place to just clean house and install a WCO/4-3 defense in one off season. He had to be meticulous in cleaning house AND acquire draft picks. To me 2010 was actually a successful year from the front office standpoint.
It’s just that sentence that i hear from so many Browns fans (myself being one) that drives me insane.
“Okay, who else would be just fine if the 2011 season never happens? Just me? Let’s see those hands.”
do we get the #6 and #27 picks in the 2012 draft?
@2: Yes
@4: Yes
@5: Yes
@16: Solid line of questioning. The only fair way to do it is A) that, or B) 32-ball draft lottery. Maybe the former isn’t even really fair, a team doesn’t deserve to be punished in draft position for 2 years for winning the super bowl.
@8, 9, 15: Yes. Yes. Yes.
I didn’t want to be mean to the WFNY guys earlier, but how about since there’s no football news and most Clevelanders are avoiding the NBA playoffs like a plague, we write more stuff about the only Cleveland team that has more than 5 playoff appearances in the last 20 years, and looks to be poised to notch another divisional title?
We could get that guy from the Q too,
“And NOW…your ClEEEEEVELAAAAAAAAND…INDIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIAAAAAAAAAAAANS!”
It would be epic.
@8: Yes again.
If any of your proposed trades went down, more specifically that one with Houston- even if we bounce all those guys their way- Heckert would be put on Grand Jury for armed robbery. The players you mentioned are at best 3rd stringers and if we got 2 solid pieces to the DL then I would be more then ecstatic.
I want to throw my hat in just to state the observation that Heckert’s draft choices appear (perhaps coincidentally) to indicate the Brown’s belief that free agency will be limited if not non-existent. I thought this piece of writing really spoke to that thesis and I agree with it.
“oh, so we get the draft and that’s it? Ok.’let’s grab 2 d-linemen and hope that Greg Little is an absolute ballet. Let’s win seven games and then see what happens.”
This is the most poorly written article I’ve ever seen on this website. It’s borderline unreadable.