Shutting down the Twins: Ball Played
August 30, 2016Ohio State to start walk-on kicker Tyler Durbin against BGSU
August 30, 2016Since their return to the shores of Lake Erie in 1999, it almost seems as though the Cleveland Browns have had a different front office and coaching staff every season. While that is not quite true, they have had more than I can count on one hand in just the past few seasons.1
Executive Vice President of Football Operations Sashi Brown and head coach Hue Jackson are set to begin their first regular season with the team beginning September 11, but they have had their hands full so far this off-season. While not re-signing plenty of talent that they let walk away, they have also released a bunch of veterans who weren’t producing on the field like they would have liked for the price the Browns were paying them, including wide receiver Brian Hartline, strong safety Donte Whitner, inside linebacker Karlos Dansby, wide receiver Dwayne Bowe, and most recently linebacker Paul Kruger, among others. It’s as though their thinking is why should they pay a veteran a hefty contract when the team can play a younger player, who is cheaper and has more potential, and still be one of the worst teams in the NFL.
Just how young are the 2016 version of the Browns, you ask? After the release of Kruger and the trade that sent punter Andy Lee to the Carolina Panthers on Monday, they have just seven players currently on their roster who are at least 30 years old: wide receiver Andrew Hawkins (30), offensive tackle John Greco (31), defensive tackle Desmond Bryant (31), tight end Gary Barnidge (31), left tackle Joe Thomas (32), cornerback Tramon Williams (33), and quarterback Josh McCown (37).
While people may wonder why the Browns aren’t spending any of their league-leading cap space in free agency, Jackson, Brown, and company are allowing the younger players – including plenty of rookies – to not only get playing time this season, but even start and have the opportunity to showcase and develop their skills.
Although winning matters, this season is more about what the coaches will be able to get out of these young players and the players continuing to get better in game situations. 2016 will be rough for the Dawg Pound, but have faith Cleveland, this new regime seems to (actually) know what they are doing this time around.
Keep in mind, the Browns also have already racked up a plethora of draft picks in 2017 and beyond. Unlike previous regimes, this new front office seems to know what they are doing in the draft.2 They have also shown a willingness to draft wide receivers and other skill positions. How crazy is that, right?
It will take time and plenty of patience, but I have faith that Jackson, the rest of the coaching staff, and the front office will be able to turn this team around. Eventually that means bringing a consistent playoff NFL team to Cleveland. A feat that has only occurred once since 1999.
75 Comments
Let’s have a “Good to Great” discussion group. I’ll start the forum on Scout . . .
I literally LOLLED at this. Kudos.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KAwP0RjQIHc/UhCuQWFZZuI/AAAAAAAAelY/AlsBSSUO2ok/s1600/SlapShot_115Pyxurz.jpg
Also, I’m really looking forward to the premier of “Atlanta”. Love me some Donald Glover. Hoping it’s as good as it is in my dreams.
IF ONLY WFNY HAD A PRE-EXISTING SARCASM FONT WE COULD ALL USE WHEN NEEDING TO DEPICT ABJECT SARCASM.
It was such a good blend of #TeamConspiracy and #TeamSnark
It was such a good blend of #TeamConspiracy and #TeamSnark
I was vetoed on those names as well as Eddie George
I did help name our 2nd son after the only UCLA QB who defeated USC four times though (wife’s family are USC fans – father-in-law not amused initially)
I was vetoed on those names as well as Eddie George
I did help name our 2nd son after the only UCLA QB who defeated USC four times though (wife’s family are USC fans – father-in-law not amused initially)
Exactly. Let me know when you get one.
Exactly. Let me know when you get one.
I think you attempted a bridge too far. The first boy should have just been “Eddie,” and the second “George.” Those are easier sells, on their own. That way, you would have gotten the name you wanted by subterfuge. I mean, what are solid marriages built on, if not subterfuge?
Wayne Cook?
the issue was Eddie got vetoed. so, it was a non-starter.
Cook only started 2 years for UCLA
Think…cruddy Chicago Bears QB who had his g/f stolen by Tim Couch
First we have #TeamConspiracy mixing w/ #TeamSnark
Now we have #TeamSunnyside mixing w/ #TeamSnark
By the end of 2016, we might be all #TeamSnark!
Cade McNown?
McNown is a weird name for a kid.
https://media.giphy.com/media/l2SpX0notZNgArOp2/giphy.gif
Apparently, Bridgewater suffered an injury in practice today.
McCown’s trade value keeps going up…
Can we barrow Comic Sans from Dan Gilbert?
Has Tony Grossi ever written anything that isn’t designed to cause the most amount of drama and panic?
He’s a weird kid (he’s mine after all)
And, we didn’t use the McNown part 🙂
Just the first name, but yes. Father-in-law instantly recognized what happened there.
No details, but reports are it was pretty gruesome.
One big aspect fans forget is the browns will be rolling around $60 million of cap space into next season. That means we should have more than $100 million in cap space to play with even after we sign our draft picks… No reason to waste money on a bad team when you can roll over cap space, expect Tramon to be cut next.