A “real possibility” the Browns select Mike Evans at No. 4 overall
May 2, 2014Mike Pettine: Defensive Chameleon
May 2, 2014In one of the more underdiscussed story lines of the offseason, the Cleveland Browns have picked up their fifth-year option on big defensive tackle Phil Taylor.
#Browns have exercised the option on Phil Taylor's contract for the fifth year, source said.
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) May 2, 2014
Taylor started 15 games in 2013, but only played 555 snaps as a two-down player used to impede the opposing running game. The switch to Mike Pettine as head coach will bring a different “hybrid” defensive scheme to the Browns, one that could ultimately bring Taylor more playing time. The team, however, has considerable depth at defensive line and may continue to rotate players given their luxury.
“Phil’s explosive,” Pettine said on Thursday. “He’s got some pass rush ability, yet he’s solid enough to be at the point of attack. Absolutely, he’s a fit for us.”
“I am humbled and honored that the Browns exercised the fifth-year option on my contract,” said Taylor. “I truly hope to be in Cleveland my entire career and to be part of the team that turns this franchise back into a perennial winner and championship contender, and restores the luster of the Dawg Pound!”
Taylor will have made $8 million through his first four years with the Browns. The 2011 first-round pick will now make $5.5 million in Year 5, becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2016. The Browns had until May 3 to pick up the option.
—
(Photo via Candice Vlcek/WFNY)
14 Comments
Excellent!
Now, let’s hope Rubin doesn’t become draft day trade fodder.
This was almost a no-brainer, but we’ve botched a few of those in the past. It seems we’ve been making mostly good decisions since Haslam wielded the ax.
Raise your hand if you think Banner would have done this.
…*crickets*…
actually, I wonder if this does impact Rubin, at least next year when he’ll be a FA. There are reports Browns were weighing Taylor’s option numbers against the relatively few snaps he plays (like 40%?) as they rotate linemen situationally and to keep them fresh. Maybe they won’t want to devote tons of money to two guys playing one spot.
Plenty of reasons to be cautiously optimistic but I still fear next week. I hope I’m wrong.
And if you factor in the relative success of Hughes and Winn, I think Rubin may be fairly high on the expendable scale. :/
Why do you fear? You’re not a Browns fan (except that you are).
if they can get something for rubin on draft day they should probably do it. there’s no way i see to sign ALL next year’s UFAs. in addition to rubin, there’s haden-sheard-cameron-skrine-pinkston-groves-lewis as well as our starting qb.
now then. it could be that rookie-contract-taylor would fetch more on draft day and perhaps they move taylor and keep rubin? if they don’t love taylor, that’s the move that makes more sense.
There ya go, getting all logical.
Rubin is good for the locker room.
Ahh well…
He would have wanted him to “prove it” this season, only to find out that the window had closed a year earlier.
It’s not legal to be a fan of two different NFL teams though is it? Certainly I’ve gotten that feeling around here more then enough times which is why I say I’m not a Browns fan and just leave it at that, it’s just easier, you know?
always good to have Attaboys in the locker room.
Come on. You know gray areas are prohibited in comment sections.
Amongst other things.