Trevor Bauer went HAM on an “overthinking” inquiry
March 11, 2015MAC Tournament Tips Off in Cleveland With NCAA Bid on the Line
March 11, 2015I was good with the idea that the Cleveland Browns were going to be quiet on the opening day of free agency. I spoke about balancing a team’s need and free cap space with an efficient building of the team. It’s important to have that balance and a day removed from the opening of 2015 NFL free agency, I’m still all right with the the Browns not spending big money on Ndamukong Suh, or Jeremy Maclin or even Buster Skrine who got a healthy, but not impossibly prohibitive contract. Still, I found myself frustrated by the end of the day because this free agency opening was different. The Browns not only sat idly as giant free agent contracts were signed, they missed what turned out to be one of the most chaotic trading days in my memory.
As a fan of a team that needs a quarterback, tight end and defensive tackle, to think that players like Nick Foles, Sam Bradford and even Jimmy Graham were available and eventually traded in the same day is maddening. Add to it that Haloti Ngata got traded from the Baltimore Ravens to the Detroit Lions and it formed the kind of day where it feels extra painful to have sat on the sidelines.
To think that players like Nick Foles, Sam Bradford and even Jimmy Graham were available and eventually traded in the same day is maddening.
This was just day one, and the off-season is far from over. There are plenty of more shoes hanging precariously in the air. The Browns are reportedly visiting with talented cornerback Perrish Cox. It is ridiculous and outlandish, but if you listened to even a minute of 92.3 The Fan’s “Kylie and Booms” this morning, you kept hearing the name Drew Brees. I know. I know. It’s crazy. At the same time, I never saw Jimmy Graham or LeSean McCoy or Haloti Ngata or Kiko Alonso getting traded either.
Let’s just put it this way: I’ve always wondered what could have been if the Browns had just signed Drew Brees ahead of the 2006 season when he was a free agent. The Browns (along with many other teams) sat back and declined to bother with him because they were worried about his shoulder or his stature or any number of other variables. And there’s no telling that Brees becomes Brees if the Browns ever signed him back then. Still, that is one of those opportunities in the NFL where a true franchise quarterback was available and free to the highest bidder and the Browns chose to come into their season with Charlie Frye, Derek Anderson and Ken Dorsey.
I just hope the Browns don’t look back on March 10, 2015 as a day they didn’t get something done for Nick Foles or Sam Bradford, instead preferring to go into their season with Josh McCown, Johnny Manziel and Connor Shaw.
154 Comments
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Personally, I try to look at the ledger and make a tally. Are we a better overall team for 2015 than we were for 2014? It’s impossible to know for sure, but you can make reasonable guesses on a position by position breakdown.
It is way too early to do it, but it’s looking like we will be at least a little weaker at CB and possibly TE. We need to do something at OLB (obviously). QB is also obviously the most important one and we are even there.
The Browns did not over spend on Murray, Suh, Maclin, Revis, and a few others. AWESOME!!!! AWESOME!!!!
The Browns did not over-pay for Skrine and Sheard! AWESOME!!!! AWESOME!!!!
Maybe, this is a sign that the Browns wont be trading up or down in the first round for a bust??? AWESOME!!!! AWESOME!!!!
Build the team through the draft! Let Gilbert work with Joe Haden. Gilbert, while very very disappointing in his rookie year, or Williams, or even Desir all are not that much of a step down from Skrine, and all have a higher ceiling in my opinion. yes, skrine worked really hard, but Williams and Desir appear to have the same work ethic, and lets hope Gilbert turns it around. With this situation, letting Skrine go was smart.
As per sheard, bye bye. Thank you for a great 2 years, and thanks for a mediocre last two years. He did not see the field much last year. He fits the 4-3 better is my humble opinion. Mingo (still disappointing) has more potential and far more speed, and is improving against the run. Plus, we have Armonty Bryant coming back, and I think he is better than Sheard.
FINALLY, INTELLIGENCE with the team! Thank you Ray Farmer!