Monthly Archives: May 2017

Browns, NFL

Browns, Kirksey, Agree to Extension

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The Cleveland Browns and linebacker Christian Kirksey agreed to a four-year, $38 million contract extension. The deal includes $20 million in guaranteed money. 

The move also continues the Browns strong offseason of bringing in new talent and  ensuring they keep the little talent that they already had on their roster. 

Kirksey, a former standout at Iowa, has been one of the few bright spots on th Browns defense over the past few seasons. While the Browns were just 1-15 in 2016, Kirksey had one of his best seasons as a pro recording 148 tackles and adding 2.5 sacks. 

Locking up Kirksey on a defense that has seen a tidal wave of talent come to the shores of Lake Erie should set the Browns defense up to compete in the coming years.  

Browns, NFL

Browns Hire Former Colts GM Grigson

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The Cleveland Browns have hired Ryan Grigson as a Senior Personnel Executive. He will report to Vice President of Player Personnel Andrew Berry, who once worked under him in Indianapolis while Grigson was the Colts general manager. 

On the teams website, Executive Vice President of Football Operations gave Grigson a glowing review,”Ryan brings valuable experience to our personnel group,” said Brown. “He was raised as a road-scout and has been evaluating talent in this league for almost 20 years. We place a premium on that experience and on his passion for football. Ryan has much to offer to any personnel department and we are pleased that he chose to join our staff.”

Grigson was the Colts GM from 2012-16 and was named NFL Executive of the Year in his first season when he drafted Andrew Luck and changed the teams fortunes after they lost Peyton Manning. In the seasons after, he struggled to build a roster around the teams franchise quarterback and eventually was shown the door. 
While he was a terrible GM, in my opinion, he will not be the decision maker in Cleveland, just another experienced voice. It’ll be a role that will best suit his skill set in talent evaluation, something he showed a decent ability to do while working with the Philadelphia Eagles. 

Browns, Draft, NFL

Browns, Garrett Agree to Deal

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The Cleveland Browns and number one overall pick Myles Garrett have agreed to terms on a four-year rookie contract worth $30.4 million.  

As he was putting pen to paper Garrett chose to have “Kiss From a Rose” by Seal playing in the background. Hopefully, like “Kiss From a Rose”, Garrett will become a classic from the 1990’s. 

The team made a slew of other moves as well on Friday as they signed DL Caleb Brantley to four-year deal, just days after he had battery charges against him dropped. They also waived DL Gabe Wright and claimed OL Chris Barker off of waivers from the New England Patriots. 

Browns, Draft, NFL

Charges Dropped Against Rookie DT Brantley

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In April, the Cleveland Browns took a chance on talent over trouble when they selected Florida defensive tackle Caleb Brantley in the 6th round of th 2017 NFL Draft. 

On Wednesday, their chance, and his chances of making the team out of training camp, improved when the former Gator had his misdemeanor battery charge dismissed. Brantley was accused of striking a woman and allegedly knocked her unconscious. 

According to a report, the Florida state attorney’s office concluded its investigation into Brantley and determined that there was not sufficient evidence to charge him. 

Originally considered a late first to mid second round pick, Brantley’s off field issues led him to a massive slide into the sixth round. The incident cost Brantley a massive sum of money and is a black mark on his character that he will have to work extremely hard to make people move on from. 

Browns, NFL

Browns, McCourty Agree to Two-Year Deal

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The Cleveland Browns and free agent CB Jason McCourty have agreed to a two-year deal on Tuesday, according to various reports. 

McCourty, an eight-year veteran, was formerly with the Tennessee Titans. 

The addition of a veteran presence will help the Browns young and lackluster secondary as McCourty can play at cornerback or at free safety where the Browns have been searching for a starter since losing Tashaun Gipson in free agency prior to the 2016 season. 

According to NFL Network reporter Courtney Fallon, McCourty has told her that he is signing a two-year, six million dollar deal with two million guaranteed to come to Cleveland. 

Browns, NFL

Wilson Fractures Patella

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In the first practice of his NFL career, Browns rookie Howard Wilson, a 4th round selection from Houston, fractured his patella and will miss “significant” time in 2017. 

It is possible that Wilson will miss the entire 2017 season, but more will be known after he has surgery on the broken kneecap. 

The Browns traded up to select Wilson as the 126th selection overall in last month’s draft in Philadelphia.       
As more information becomes available, this article will be updated. 
             

Browns, Draft, NFL

Browns Get Three Rookies Under Contract

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With rookie camp set to begin tomorrow, the Cleveland Browns have gotten three of their 10 drafted rookies under contract, the team announced on Thursday.

Howard Wilson, a fourth-round pick from Houston, Rod Johnson, a fifth-round selection from Florida State, and Matthew Dayes, a seventh-round pick from North Carolina State, all agreed to terms on their first NFL contracts.

Wilson, a cornerback, was the 126th overall pick in the 2017 draft, and will have a chance to work into the mix in the secondary early in his career. Johnson, pick number 160, is a prototype tackle who needs to refine his game if he wants to stick in the NFL. Dayes, the second to last pick in the draft at 252 overall, will be thrown into the Browns crowded backfield and may have to find a spot on special teams in order to stick on the 53-man roster.

Browns

Gordon Denied Reinstatement

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After the NFL saw a slew of players having their careers and eligibility reinstated by the league, many believed that Cleveland Browns wide reciever Josh Gordon would be next. On Thursday, however, the NFL announced that they did not feel Gordon was ready for that step and denied reinstatement for the former second-round selection in the 2012 supplemental draft.

Gordon, who has not played in a regular season game in more than two seasons, was once the brightest star on the Browns roster, but how quickly that star has faded. After having a career year in 2013, where he caught 87 balls for 1646 yards and nine scores in just 14 games, was voted to the Pro Bowl and joined Calvin Johnson as a first team all-pro at his position above players like Julio Jones, Antonio Brown, and AJ Green, Gordon has done nothing but waste his talent. Those three players are headed into next season scheduled to make over $46 million combined, while Gordon, who is still under contract for multiple seasons with the Browns on a rookie deal, will make nothing in the NFL.

For more of my thoughts on Gordon, check out OAB365.