Okay, so it's all Thielen all the time right now. Some Stephon Gilmore, a little Deion (NAME?), LB from the Falcons. But plenty of heat coming from plenty of directions, including the pay site. Feels like AB is out there rattling cages, at the very least.
Doesn't really bother me either way. I'll trust what Berry does. He hasn't led me astray thus far.
Shep - you needed to open your eyes buddy. I already had a thread open on this subject.........
Just bustin' balls. I deleted mine. All good.
I doubt we get Theilen. Browns designated Khar'Del Hodge as return from IR today
Ack, sorry, bud. Did a scan and didn't see anything but I was moving fast.
We make sense because of where the bye falls and leading the league in cap space. I have to think there will be a couple moves. The team we can be by December is a very real contender, even if we're chasing KC, Pitt, and B-more (and kinda theTitans).
But they all returned their systems intact, and we've been really hard hit with injuries. The team we'll field after the bye with Teller, Chubb, Hooper, Phillips, Greedy, etc., is a better team than the one that might sit at 6-2 going in.
Wrap your brain around that. A 5-3 finish with our schedule wouldn't be any great accomplishment and then we're 11-5.
I get why the common wisdom says Browns shouldn't chase FAs and give up assets because we're not winning the Super Bowl this year.
But at the same time, trading some assets to fast forward this thing and get into our window sooner is something that has to be considered.
For example, let's say Harris is made available. He's already signed. He's already in his prime. Isn't that worth a second? Has to be. Go get him.
Because while Harrison might be the answer, there's no guarantee Delpit comes back 100%. And even if he does, you now have three safeties to work with with Joseph being expendable.
At some point, teams have to pivot into contention and "next year" isn't good enough.
Browns may not win the Super Bowl but getting to the playoffs IS our Super Bowl this year. Go get there!
Wonder if they take a flyer on Eli Apple. Lot of people don't like him, but he was 6th in total tackles for DB's since entering the league...which may account for some of the injury problem. He did ok in Orleans.
Funny, just read something that out S's are actually NOT the problem...that they are getting torched COVERING FOR POOR CB PLAY?!?! If that is true, maybe someone like Eli Apple is worth a shot.
Agreed DF. If poor CB play is the reason, Eli won't cost us a draft pick. He's a free agent currently.
2 insiders rumors
No moves expected until Monday, since the Browns have the luxury of a bye week to clear CoVid protocols with any new acquisitions.
Safety help is unlikely.
Yeah, I think they really like Harrison, Redwine, and Joseph, dig what they're seeing on film. I just need Sendejo to put on a headset and help the coaches or something.
The patience thing makes sense. Any one they bring in at LB or WR is still gonna have a full week to study and then a full week of practice. And then a soft integration before being asked to do more starting with game 10.
I want Will Fuller. I just do. Then you move OBJ for nothing and you can focus on defense almost entirely.
Sounds like OV is back on the block...he has ZERO sacks so far, so just about anything is an upgrade.
Not a trade, but the Browns claimed Elijah Lee, LB off waivers from the Lions. Primarily a ST player, he was originally a 7th rd pick by the Vikings, so KS knows the kid.
Joe Woods coached him in SF, where he played the most on defense. He's been snatched off another team's practice squad, something I always like to see. He's 230, maybe he can cover.
Now that we are at the bye, I think if the Browns make a move or two, it will be in the next 36 hours. Didn't think AB wanted to make a deal with a game still on the schedule prior to the bye/deadline.
Njoku for a mid-round pick per Rap is interesting. If AB gets a 4th or 5th I'll be stunned. 6th or 7th more likely tbh - 2 cents. I'd bump the compensation until 2022 if that means a higher round pick.
Acquisitions? Edge now that Myles has a knee? IDL after that gashing? LB is always on the radar. Sandejo for a warm bowl of soup?
Myles will reportedly be ok, as will Hoop, Chubb and Teller. Greedy may be back too, although I'm not sure he's better than T-Mitch.
We're gonna role into mid-November with something to prove, a friendly schedule, and darn good health.
We-ok.
Here's the info I was looking for, in order to guage Njoku's trade value:
"The Jets moved another veteran Sunday night.
The team agreed to trade linebacker Avery Williamson to the Steelers, a source confirmed. The Jets acquired Pittsburgh’s 2022 fifth-round pick in exchange for Williamson and the Jets’ 2022 seventh-round pick."
Dang it Ocon - was just about to hit the publish button on the same subject.....
Guess I am too old and slow
So,
Jets get:: a 5th rounder
Steelers get: a 7th rounder + Williamson
Williamson is PFF's 120th graded LB, out of 158
Njoku is PFF's 40th graded TE, out of 103.
I agree on the notion that we're not in bad shape at all... if we can clean up some stuff. I also agree with Pluto that we should be good to go on offense: Baker looks good, the OL will be good with Teller's return, the running game will go back to what it was with Chubb, and we'll get Hooper back to round out the targets.
It also allows (an also healed) Hunt to return to Swiss Army Knife Mode, which is when he's most valuable.
If we move Njoku for a pick, I hope it's not just to draft a bunch of 12-year-old fringe dudes in rounds 3 to 5. I don't see that as a great move at all. I'd see it more as a replacement for picks traded to get players.
Like, if we trade one of our two 3s and a 4, getting a 4 for Njoku gives us the full array of picks on a team that doesn't need anymore 10-guy classes. But the defenders we could get for a 3 and a 4, the way picks are so overvalued? They'd be real. Way more real than what the Steelers added (meh).
I think the Browns need to get Desmond King, a hybrid CB/S who was all pro in 2018 and is a great PR, too. It'll be competitive. He's 25 and very talented. He clearly fits a need and we have time to integrate him. Having him and Ronnie Harrison on the field is gonna matter.
And we really need a LB. Just about any LB. I know the team loves Jacob Phillips and Malcolm Smith has played well... but that is it. Mack Wilson looks like pure garbage, maybe part of it is the knee. BJ is entirely one-dimensional. I could see both off the team next season.
Could the Browns get a better LB right now for a 3, plus a little something else, than they could with the actual pick? Probably. And I think it's worth it. I think there's a version of the back half with every healed and even more coached up in the new systems... that's really, really interesting.
I mean, a QB who's got it figured out, a great OL, and an amazing running game are a winning combo on offense. We just need to see a defense ascend to competence. They're nowhere close t that right now.
If Vernon can keep showing up (but hey, they were both late sacks) and Gustin is looking hungry, maybe we can ramp up more pressure on a more regular basis. I don't even know what to say about the interior and what happened to them yesterday. They got publicly castrated.
I like your post and agree with most of your points. In fact I was just going to post on how I've felt for a while now: that this team needs and will always need to draft a strong domineering LB who can become a vocal leader and lead by example with his toughness, smarts and determination to win at all costs. The type of LB the Caroline Panthers had before he retired early.....by name of Luke Kuechly. Outside of Schobert, can anybody name the last time the Browns had a genuine All-Pro linebacker? I can't see a dominate rush defence without having that great LB or three very top LBS (2 that can cover and one that can penetrate, plays fast and is a deadly tackler. jmho
Joe Woods system isn't going to work unless we find those safeties with the same determined attributes of toughness, great intuitive skills and are expert in the field of blitzing when called upon.
We're way weaker at LB and S than I imagined. I thought Goodson, Joseph, and Sendejo could buy us a year for Mack, Phillips, Delpit, and Redwine to develop. Even the additions of Malcolm Smith and Ronnie Harrison (both playing well) haven't been enough.
We're being really reluctant on the trade front so far, kinda disappointed. But there's still time.
DB Desmond King for a 6th rounder! To the Titans.
Really?
https://twitter.com/jake_burns18/status/1323322387081895937?s=19