LeBron James Drops 55, Cavaliers Top Bucks
February 21, 2009Preview: Blue Jackets vs. Ducks (Game 60)
February 21, 2009Well, after a relatively unproductive week of writing, I decided to put together some quickie Browns notes as we are in the heart of the NFL off-season. We have draft evaluations, free agency rumors, trade winds and other bits of information that will be totally forgotten this time next year if the Browns don’t win any games. For some reason, we all eat this stuff up just the same, so here goes.
- Beanie Wells is on record saying he would love to play for his hometown Browns. Much like Brady Quinn when Joe Thomas was available, my answer is simple. I would love to have Beanie playing here too. Just not at the number the Browns are drafting.
- And don’t think it isn’t lost on Beanie that, much like Quinn a few years back, it makes sense to try to make friends with those who are drafting in the top five, especially when you aren’t projected anywhere near that high.
- There will be no clarity at the Browns’ QB position coming out of any of the mouths of the head honchos in Berea. It is no doubt that this new regime is going to be secretive, but any front office would be smart to not tip their hand. Think of it this way. Would it help or hurt D.A.’s trade value if the Browns said that Brady Quinn was going to be their starter?
- I have said it once before in the comments of this site, but I will say it again. Would it surprise anyone if Rey Maualuga ended up having a better NFL career than Aaron Curry? I have seen the highlight tapes, and I have seen the projections. So what? How can you argue with Maualuga’s career? He has played on big stages and he has been a really productive player. Still, sometimes with the draft prospecting process the way it happens, you end up drafting beautiful statues with ridiculous physiques rather than football players. This might not be fair, but look at the career paths of Tedy Bruschi and Andy Katzenmoyer.
- If his name isn’t Malcolm Jenkins, don’t talk to me about Buckeyes in the first round. It is really easy to overvalue guys you have fallen in love with during their college days at Ohio State. Well, unless your name is DP who likes those other guys. Anyway, one thing that DP and I agree on is that unavoidable desire by some fans to draft their college guys right onto the Browns is annoying. Other than Malcolm Jenkins, who probably is that good, you can’t make a compelling argument for James Laurinaitis or Beanie Wells where the Browns are picking.
- That being said of Malcolm Jenkins, I don’t think I would pick him at that spot either because linebacker is so clearly a need for the Browns.
- As much as it might seem like it stinks to be a Browns fan sometimes, you should really take solace in the fact that it could be worse. If you were a fan of certain other teams, you would be facing a situation where your leaders decided to franchise a kicker. Although, would anybody blame the Browns for franchising Phil Dawson? When your team can’t get in the end zone…
- Some are crying foul over Eric Mangini’s statement about NY Giants’ free agent Derrick Ward. Mangini said Ward was a “guy we’d look at.” First of all, the tampering talk has no teeth. Giants GM Jerry Reese came out and said that charges of tampering aren’t valid.
- Speaking of Ward, though, how nice would it be to see the Browns have RB options of Ward, Lewis, Harrison, and sometimes Josh Cribbs? Given a coaching staff that could mix and match the playing time, that is something I could certainly get excited about. Or would that spell the end of the Jamal Lewis era?
- As for the end of eras, the OBR has been very smart to point out that the Browns haven’t cut Donte Stallworth because they have had no deadline pass where it needed to happen. You can be sure that the Browns are finding out soon whether or not Stallworth is going to be a part of the problem or a part of the solution. He will have to renegotiate his deal if he aims to be a part of this team going forward.
- As for his playing, I still wouldn’t count out the possibility of him helping this team on the field. I know Savage signed him to a rich deal and I know he didn’t play much at all this season. At the same time, he does have skills that would make him a valuable addition to the team as a second receiver. I know a lot of you are mad at him for his first impression in a Browns uniform, but honestly, he is going to need a short memory if he is going to come back and contribute for this team next season. After last year, wouldn’t a short memory be a good thing for us fans to have too?
- This week we explored the value that Kellen Winslow might have in the trade market. I would say that the opinions in the comments were pretty conclusively in favor of keeping K2 in Cleveland. I know it is unpopular because of Winslow’s ability to offer mismatches in coverage and his fiery attitude toward winning. I agree with those points, but I am still unsure that it outweighs the risks of his injury history, combined with Winslow’s desire to be paid like a future hall of famer even if he will be unable to play as long as a Tony Gonzalez. I will be ok with whatever Kokinis and Mangini decide to do, but if they do trade him for draft picks, they better pick well.
- A name that we haven’t discussed at length in a while is Braylon Edwards. I know it is a sexy conversation to constantly talk about the QB position, but there is no more intriguing situation in my mind than Braylon Edwards. Dude had a horrendous season on the field and compounded it by burning bridges with the fans. At this point I think he needs to hire Vince McMahon to help him stage events so that he can turn from “heel” back to a “babyface.” If he and this regime were smart, they would get a deal in place for Derek Anderson and then let Braylon know so he can come in, apologize to the fans and rip DA on his way out the door while “relieving” himself on a photo of Art Modell. I just have no idea how this whole Braylon situation is going to go.
- Finally, a non-Browns related note that could end up affecting the Browns and the market for a QB should the Browns decide to try and deal one this off-season. Mike Vick is at least on the radar of a couple of teams according to ESPN. Could there be any more polar opposites than Mike Vick and Derek Anderson?
And that is you weekend update on my Browns thoughts. Is it any wonder that this is a Browns town when I can manage to find about 1200 words to say in the heat of a Cavs championship run and right after pitchers and catchers have reported for the Indians?
13 Comments
I’m pretty sure the patriots franchised vinatieri a couple of times during dominant run. go ahead and make a point that vinatieri is an all time great and Graham is not, but it has happened before to teams that suck a lot less than the Bengals.
Oh yeah! Thats what we need! a Real back, a work horse, Jamal Lewis can show him the ropes, I would love to see beanie in cleveland. Cleveland better get it together. A strong back = Playoffs, a strong back and QB = Deep in the playoffs, Strong QB + Strong Back + Defense = Contenders!
I think all the Michael Vick talk is crap. Hes done, his career is over. After his huge deal in ATL he still wasn’t much of a QB. If he does come back, and someone does feel like they want to invest some time into him at a discount price, I see him only being part of a “wildcat” type package.
At least since we have Cribbs he isnt one dimensional. Hes got QB, RB, WR, KR, and PR under his belt. What else could Vick do?
Michael Vick and the Dawg Pound… Right.
Career Statistics
Year GP TKL TFL SACK PBU INT
2004 RS – – – – –
2005 11 45 7.5 1.0 5 0
2006 14 83 8.5 3.0 3 1
2007 13 99 13.5 3.0 4 4
2008 13 105 16.0 2.5 3 1
Totals 51 332 45.5 9.5 12 6
Career Statistics
Year GP TKL TFL SACK PBU INT
2005 12 37 4.5 1.0 2 1
2006 13 78 5.0 2.0 3 1
2007 13 79 10.5 6.0 3 1
2008 12 79 2.5 0.0 4 2
Totals 50 273 22.5 9.0 12 5
Which Player would you rather have? First Stat set is Aaron Curry’s and the second is Maualuga, who played on the “Best Defense” in the country according to most “Experts”. Just saying.
Sorry, the stats didn’t comment in well, but you are smart enough to figure it out.
Hard though because where Maualuga played on the best defense in college, he had to fight for tackles against two other first round linebackers, a second round defensive tackle and a future first round safety where as Curry, Alphonso Smith (CB) and Chip Vaughn (S) were Wake’s only real stars.
The thought I had though is about Winslow and DA. Tampa is trying to drive the trade stock for DA down, but in this market it may not work. What about trading DA and Winslow to Minnesota for their first, third, fifth and next year’s second or first (if they make the playoffs)…gives us that high twenties pick so we can draft the son of Matthews, and a few more picks for our future.
At #5, shouldn’t we be able to find a guy who is a stud, and a leader? I think on D we need somebody who’ll crack some skulls and fire up his mates. I don’t care if it’s a DL, LB or DB – we need somebody who is our defensive leader and can lead in all manners.
My point about the best defense thing is that since Curry didn’t have anyone else on his defense to be scared of, then teams could easily game plan against him and double team him. Even so, he had amazing stats and he has great film, and I’ve watched BOTH guys tape. Curry’s speed and range is wat separates him from Maualuga. Obviously, I can’t speak for intangibles though.
Thanks for those stats S-Dub. I have not been a fan of Maualuga for the browns, and I think those stats prove it. I think it would have been easier to Rey to pick up better stats, such tackles for loss, sacks, and INTs, because of the other “great” players around him. I think it is more impressive to put up big numbers on a lesser team defense because the other teams would try to plan around him, and thats not necessarily the case with Rey. Curry has much better overall stats and there should be no question that he should be taken if he slides to the browns at #5.
I love this website. I always read it. Love Cleveland. You guys do a great job running this website. I have never posted but enjoy reading other’s comments.
I AM UTTERLY SHOCKED THAT WFNY DID NOT HAVE A KELLY PAVLIK POST FOR TONIGHTS BIG FIGHT.
UNREAL. CAN ANYONE TELL ME WHY????????????????????????????
THE GHOST!
Great article. I just wished I cared about the Browns.
DCBucks, I got a kick out of that one, thanks