The drama continues: Kyrie Irving calls out Josh Gordon
April 6, 2014Are the Browns jerseys going grey? While We’re Waiting…
April 7, 2014The Browns thought they had a reliable veteran receiver when they traded for Davone Bess last season. That didn’t work out all that well for the Browns as Bess turned into what appeared to be a pot-smoking rastafarian via his own social media presence. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Browns have found a new veteran as they’ve agreed to terms with Nate Burleson.
Former Lions WR Nate Burelson reached agreement on a one-year deal with the Cleveland Browns, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 7, 2014
Burleson comes with his own problems, of course. He’s only been able to play 15 games in the last two seasons. Burleson has also only had one season of 1000 yards and that occurred an awful long time ago back in 2004.
None of this means Burleson can’t help for a year or so in Cleveland, of course. The 32-year-old former third rounder has had a long career and certainly knows what it takes to be a receiver in the NFL. We’ll see if he can find a way to contribute alongside Josh Gordon, newly signed Andrew Hawkins and whoever the Browns are likely to draft next month.
Speaking of Josh Gordon, he and Kyrie Irving are supposedly fighting.
[Related: The drama continues: Kyrie Irving calls out Josh Gordon]
(Photo Jason Miller / Getty Images)
13 Comments
Pretty irrelevant signing. He turns 33 years old this season and has only averaged 7.5 games per year over the last two years. I seem to remember him being much better as a slot receiver than as an X or Y. So the Browns picked up a backup slot receiver for 1 year who can be a veteran presence in the locker room. That’s not without value, so I’m not saying it’s a bad signing… just that we should expect much production on the field.
…so long as they’re still drafting Watkins…
In what was by far the most puzzling thing I’ve seen in some time, several folks in the twitterverse seem certain that this signing eliminates Watkins as a choice at 4. Burleson is simply here to push and likely replace Greg Little, maybe provide some veteran leadership. To think he somehow makes Watkins less attractive as a top pick is difficult to comprehend.
He’s a fine 3rd receiver. I don’t really think there’s anything people can object to here.
Agreed. It’s a one-year deal for a solid vet. If you’re drafting Watkins, he’s a perfect WR to play some plays and let Watkins watch and learn until he can internalize a full NFL playbook, defenses, etc.
when in Detroit, do not mix food and driving. Cullen (DL coach) and Burleson can both attest to it and I refuse to believe the reports that Winslow was not in Detroit when he was looking for Boston Market despite the reports he was in Jersey 😉
HA! The Kellan Winslow thing will never ever get old.
I still like Hawkins better as our slot receiver. Burleson is depth in my eyes, nothing more. Even in his last full season in 2011 he only put up 73 catches for 757 yards and 3 TDs. That was in his age 30 season and this is now his age 33 season. I don’t find it to be an exciting signing or even a good one… just meh. He’s roster filler and “veteran presence”.
i always liked burleson with the lions and thought he was underrated. thumbs up.
Totally agree. Burleson just seems like that “good guy” vet who will speak up, not make mistakes, and have 1-2 huge games when we all say, “wow, where has that been all year?”. Besides, anyone that can provide some competition with Greg Little is A-OK with me.
I started doubting Watkins at #4 a few weeks ago and this only adds to that I’m afraid. I realize it’s just a 1 year deal for Burleson but the fact that they added another WR and have so many other holes namely QB and OL leads me to believe we won’t hear Sammy’s name announced for Cleveland.
I just wish they had brought in another OL especially with Mack still being a DIVA.
take heart. browns worked out brandon 35-reps-with-35-inch-arms thomas.
i dont know why a player with that combo isn’t rated higher by the draft wonks, but the good news for us is that he didn’t escape ray farmer’s notice.