What Would You Do if the Browns Traded Brady Quinn?
March 3, 2009The 5-Hole – Blue Jackets News and Notes: 3/3/09 – NHL Trade Rumors Edition
March 3, 2009
You know that it’s an exciting free agency period for your team when you get all amped about a potential visit. But with the Cleveland Browns boasting a net free agency number of negative one (with Andra Davis signing with Denver), that’s what we are currently reduced to.
While we were all told that the team planned on being active in the later waves of free agency, I’m admittedly surprised to hear that the team is actively seeking the services of former Buffalo Bill Jabari Greer. Greer is an enticing possible addition for a bevy of reasons.
One, we could definitely use the help in the defensive backfield. I may be in the minority, but I like Brandon McDonald. Put him in the nickel, and I like him even more. Secondly, Greer is considerably younger – just turning 27 – than a few of the other options that have been rumored around these parts. And thirdly, the former Tennessee Volunteer has played all 16 games in three of his five seasons; something that we can say about very few members of the Browns.
In terms of his talent, Greer is the third-ranked available cornerback by Scout.com. The OBR reports that the Browns do not veer far from the popular web site’s assessment, and hold him Greer in very high regard. He boasts a very strong track record against the opposing teams’ top targets, and would require a decent chunk of our available cash. However, his ability to break the big play (two INTs returned for touchdowns last season) and fend off competition (outplayed first-round draft selection Leodis McKelvin) would make him a welcomed addition to the Browns.
Greer is slated to visit the New Orleans Saints after leaving Cleveland, but let’s hope that we can capitalize on having him visit. Others that were slated to visit Eric Mangini and company (James Butler, Andre Goodman) never made it due to receiving other offers from visits scheduled prior to their respective trips to Cleveland.
25 Comments
This is a signing I could get behind. Greer is talented and young, so we wouldn’t be wasting him in what I still think will be a rebuilding (read: turrrrrible) season this year. Bring him in this year, go through the growing pains, then hopefully head into 2010 with a respectable, competitive team. of course, all this assumes he actually visits.
By the way, Jim Leonhard is off the market (at least verbally)–headed to the Jets
Re Leonhard, the writing was on the wall there with Ryan and Bart Scott heading there. Sucks. He and Kerry Rhodes are going to be one hell of a defensive backfield.
You’re not alone, I like B-Mac too, and stuck by him when he was sucking mid season and when he really picked his game up at the end of the year. And he is a perfect nickel back because slot receivers are usually the quicker guys and not the taller guys he has trouble with
I don’t know that I’m comfortable with you using the word “bevy”.
Is losing Andra “Stonefeet” Davis really a negative?
Turrible season?-way to set lofty expectations. Particularly with the reward of a weak schedule.
Every NFL team should be competitive…….and every year losers turn things around quickly with good organizations. (Miami, Atlanta…..). If this thing is not “competitive” (not spelled out as wins/losses) and argued away with low expectations…….something is amiss.
@Rini: Next time, I’ll go with multitude.
Jabari Greer would definitely be a nice addition. This year, I’m more of a fan of signing secondary help through free agency and drafting pass-rushing help and linebacking help. Looks like we’ll probably miss out on Aaron Curry since he shot to the front of Kyper’s draft board.
Rini, Scott – I like bevys. Article needs more bevys. Mumbai Sapphire type bevys.
Mummmmbaaaaiii!
I am hoping that the browns can get Greer. That would be a huge signing for this defense. If they could find a safety, then get some pass rushers with their first 2 picks, then they would have a fairly respectable D for this year and their weaker schedule.
Randy, it must be fun to talk out of both sides of your mouth every Browns post. You’ve done nothing but predict failure over the next three or four years, and have the nerve to call someone out for their “low expectations”?
On topic, I think adding an actual bonafide NFL CB would help this defense immeasurably, and anything that keeps Terry Cousin off the field is a bonus for me. I can still remember the Giants MNF game, where he was covering Plaxico Burress 1-on-1 at the goal line. Fail.
Yes, turrrible season. I made my argument for why my own expectations for this team are low this year, so I won’t repeat myself here: if you’re curious, take a look for yourself at yeaterday’s trade rumors discussion. As for the weak schedule argument, I’m not buying it. Strength of schedule can only be really analyzed AFTER the season, as there are always teams who fail to meet or wildly exceed expectations. I honestly don’t know of many things I consider less useful in sports as the idea of strength of schedule. I would also argue that last year’s ascensions of Miami and Atlanta were more the exception than the rule–those were drastic improvements that should not be the measuring stick for all teams in all seasons. And yes, a skilled organization is a necessity; the question is do we have that here in Cleveland? No one can say for sure one way or the other at this point. The question I asked yesterday is still out there: does anyone really believe this team, with a new staff, is really a legit contender for 2009? My answer continues to be no. The key to me is getting the foundation for success established–if the wins roll in right away, so be it, but I’m not expecting that.
@DP: CB is key to solidifying the D, absolutely. I can understand an argument for Eazy-E as servicable, but I’m not at all sold on McDonald as a starter. Bring in Greer and stick B-Mac and nickel (a sure upgrade over Cousin at least), and now things are looking better. Safety is a gaping hole at this point, but the whole thing might not be able to be rebuilt all at once.
that should be “stick B-Mac AT nickel”–my apologies
To go along with what b-bo said: Are the Bengals still bad? The Chiefs? The Rams? I know that Hotlanta and Miami have given everyone a sense of hope, but let’s be realistic and accept the fact that it’s going to take time for this team to rise. If it happens quickly, I’ll be pleasantly surprised. If it doesn’t, I won’t be shocked.
#13 – I agree whole-heartedly.
I think our safeties aren’t as bad as we think, provided there’s some decent LB play in front of them.
Any chance Sean Jones doesn’t get much attention and ends up coming back? The only teams I could think of that might go after him are Philly, Tampa, and New Orleans. He’s not the best, but we could do worse, and the price tag would likely be less than the franchise tag would have been if he gets humbled by the market.
I hope that we get a safety that will help our corners, someone that can deliver a hit. I guess it won’t matter much unless we have a good draft and get the LB core arranged. I am upset that Jim Leonard wasn’t brought in, but Greer would be terrific for this D.
Roy Williams is going to get released by the Boys probably. Would anyone like him? He can’t cover my grandma but he can sure stop the run. I would like Greer and also like Jones back though. Is Daven Holly going to return and be able to play? If he is then that’s some extra needed depth for sure.
DP-since you brought up “nerve”; is it too much to ask for you to comprehend a simple point before you retort?
I’m not talking from both sides……I’m simply commenting on someone else already setting up the stage to excuse a poor season as “rebuilding” rather than organizational structure. Yes…….I’ve already gone on record many times as to my view; the season won’t be lost due to “rebuilding”.
As many times as my comments have been bashed, it’s a bit “nervy” to have a cow if I dare react to another’s comment.
I’m not talking from both sides…….merely expecting consistency and no excuses for others who feel different.
Just so I’m clear, Randy: realism with understanding for the situation is “making excuses”, but stubbornly calling for abject failure is just fine? Being willing to give someone a chance is “sheepish”, but writing the whole thing off before it even gets started because of personal spite is logical? Or is it just the fact that some people don’t agree with you that’s the problem? It’s unfortunate that any insight you might otherwise contribute to discussion has to be drown out by your unwillingness to see things from any side but your own.
As for the germane discussion here:
#19: I personally want nothing to do with that Roy Williams. He is a huge liability against the pass, and frankly, I don’t think he’s got much left against the run, either. And good point about Holly–I had forgotten all about him: has anyone heard anything on him?
Does trading your most physically talented player and making a large amount of cuts equal rebuilding? Methinks yes.
The team still has a head coach, GM, owner, players, and staff – sounds like the same organizational structure to me.
Randy: This is what the comment from which I was unable to understand you said:
Turrible season?-way to set lofty expectations. Particularly with the reward of a weak schedule.
If you had actually explained it as you did in comment #20, I wouldn’t have said anything. For that, my apologies: call it miscommunication.
I think you’re talking semantics relative to the whole “expectations” thing, because I get from you that your expectations are that the Browns should make the playoffs in 2009. While I, too, have gone on record against this particular hire, I don’t think that the playoffs were a realistic possibility regardless of the coach being brought in, simply because our division is just too deep and tough at the top.
I also don’t think our schedule is that weak; the only teams on it where I look now and think: “The Browns SHOULD win that game” are: Oakland, KC, Cincinnati (x2), and Detroit. Granted, a lot can change between now and the start of the season, but I don’t look at our schedule as “cake” by any means.
As for the secondary, I, too, would pass on Roy Williams. For having the reputation of being a big hitter, why is there a rule based on his overuse of the horse collar tackle? I think he’s soft, personally, and you know in a Browns uni he’d get called for the HC tackle at least five times a game!
#22 – I think I actually get what Randy’s saying in his round-about way (and I assume he will correct me if I’m wrong): he’s saying that the Browns should have expected playoffs in ’09, but because of the organizational structure now in place, they can use “rebuilding” as an excuse to lower those expectations.
[…] frustrating part is compounded by the fact that the team had their sites set onthe young and still improving cornerback of the Bills in Jabari Greer. The team let him […]