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February 24, 2015Free agent QB Josh McCown to visit Browns
February 24, 2015Is Mike Pettine’s defense going to get another weapon? According to ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler, thems the hopes as the team is reportedly interested in former Buccaneers defensive end Adrian Clayborn.
Here’s Fowler’s report:
His name was mentioned in Browns circles during last week’s combine talks. The idea is Clayborn is a talented former first-rounder whose had two unproductive years in four chances because of injury. Clayborn should have a free-agent market but not as big as had he stayed healthy. In two healthy seasons, Clayborn had 13 sacks and five forced fumbles.
A first-round pick in 2011, Clayborn has bit a bit of a disappointment for a Buccaneers team that drafted him in hopes of obtaining a dynamic pass rusher. What they received instead was a few injury-riddled seasons and just 16 sacks in 36 games played. What he did add, however, was some solid run defense and a boat load of tackles during his two healthy seasons, something the Browns desperately need heading into 2015 after getting torched on the ground during their 7-9 2014 campaign.
As the folks at Dawgs by Nature have pointed out, Clayborn’s numbers are such where his market value may actually be at a discount compared to his true impact on the field. The Browns are expected to have some company when it comes to vying for some help on the defensive line, but remain as being in one of the best salary cap positions in the NFL.
[Related: Browns Defensive Line — Year in Review]
20 Comments
This is not uniform talk.
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I’m not sure what to do now.
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I was told a year or two ago that the D-line was the Browns strength. Now that Rubin will be gone, and they might cut Phil Taylor rather than pony up $5m for a guy who hasn’t stayed healthy, they probably have to address the line high in the draft given how bad they were against the run. Clayborn’s injury history means he’d be more depth than a guy they can rely upon.
it was said by many (including myself) as late as last August.
then Rubin played like he was old (again)
and Phil Taylor couldn’t stay healthy (again)
neither could Des Bryant (again)
Winn/Hughes/Kitchen each proved that they are decent depth, but not really starting material (as expected)
So, all of a sudden, we need to revamp the unit. Not For Long league and all.
I was kidding. I said it too.
yeah, I wrote that comment out as much for me as for anything else. just to map out how that group went so wrong, so quickly. forgot to mention Armonty, but not like he changes much (he’s in the Winn category).
hi HARV … i think we all thought the same thing. not only the D-line , but considering the LB’s need to make the plays in a 3-4 defense , sheard & mingo were also disappointing. sheard was better as a DE in a 4-3 … he didn’t seem to cut-it at OLB … and mingo was a 1st round choice.
rubin made way too much money … he’s gone. phil taylor may be worth keeping.
heck , i wouldn’t mind if the browns packaged both of their 1st round picks to move up & get danny shelton … but there will still be good DL talent at 12 & 19.
have loved your additions to the comments and agree with your love of Shelton.
I don’t think they need to package the picks to get Shelton (even if he goes higher, we likely don’t need to use our 2nd 1st to get up to him), but he apparently showed-out at the combine, so you never know.
appreciate it MG … i’m out of it this morning , we wouldn’t need to give up BOTH picks to move up … shelton dominated at the senior bowl as well & is a top 7 pick in many mocks.
I would just post a gif of the least funny person I could find…….Oh wait. Dammit, you beat me to it.
Big Shelton fan but wouldn’t put both 1st rounders together for him. Probably wouldn’t trade up for anything more than a 3rd. Browns need players. Lots of them.
I am off of Funchess, btw. Shelton, I could get behind, but don’t really consider him because i think he goes top-3.
Can they draft Bitonio again?
hi SAGGY … i erred on my original post … no , i would not use both 1st round picks to move up to get shelton , one would be sufficient.
and you are right , the browns need to snare guys who can help immediately at 12 & 19.
… i look at last year’s 1st round & the browns could’ve ended-up with what the raiders got … LB khalil mack & QB derek carr … i would’ve been extremely pleased with that … and we’d be set at QB.
and i’m not blaming it on farmer because he did very well after that.
max williams is the TE to target in this draft … but the browns may have to take him at 19 … denver might be losing julius thomas & they would probably jump on williams late in the 1st round.
sorry , that’s maxx with 2 x’s …
Shelton is the DL version of Bitonio.
SOLD!!!!