All posts by Jeremy Somerville

As a lifelong Clevelander I've seen it all, the shot, the drive, the fumble, the Mesa, the elbow, and the decison, yet I keep coming back for more. I love Cleveland, I love our sports teams, and if you feel the same way I know I can call you a friend, we may not always agree, hell we may never agree, but that one key thing in common will always keep us close. This is my blog where I write what I see, what I think, what I am hearing, and what just happened regardless of my love, my affiliation, or my audience, I tell it how I see it. I hope you read this and I entertain you or inform you, make you laugh or make you think, but most of all I hope you take part in the never ending discussion that is our love of our teams, leave comments, send me an email and I will get back to you. Thank you for taking time out of your day to be a part of mine.
Browns, Draft, NFL

QB Search Player Profile: Davis Webb

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*This is part eight of a 10 part series where we will take a look at the Cleveland Browns options for the elusive quarterback of the future.

Name: Davis Webb

Height: 6’5″

Weight: 229 pounds

Throws: Right

School: Cal

NFL Team: N/A

Draft Spot or Projection: 2nd round- 4th round

Strengths: Great size at 6’5″…throws ball with accuracy and from high release point…decent athlete…has ability to roll out…has patience in the pocket…makes some good decisions…poised kid, started at Texas Tech and Cal…

Weaknesses: Panics in the face of the rush…most of his offense was throws within 10 yards…smaller hands for his size…arm is not overly strong…seems to make decisions where the ball is headed before getting to the line and stays with it even when it is not open…needs help with mechanics as he will tend to let the ball sail…does not anticipate long throws well…

Summary: Webb has great size and seems to be a coachable kid. Has all the ability to be a very good NFL quarterback with the proper coaching, but he is going to be a project. As a second round or later prospect, he could be worth the time and patience it is going to take. He is the best of the bunch after the top four quarterbacks in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Browns, Draft, NFL

QB Search 2017: Player Profile DeShone Kizer

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*This is part seven of a 10 part series where we will take a look at the Cleveland Browns options for the elusive quarterback of the future.

Name: DeShone Kizer

Height: 6’4″

Weight: 233 pounds

Throws: Right

School: Notre Dame

NFL Team: N/A

Draft Spot or Projection: Mid Round 1-Early Round 3

Strengths: AFC North size at 6’4″ and 233 pounds…can add to frame still…big arm…can make all of the throws…atheltic…throws catchable ball with tight spiral…good arm motion…strong hands…mostly accurate…stands in pocket and takes hit when necessary to find open receiver…

weaknesses: INCONSISTENT…ditches mechanics at times and relies on strong arm causing the ball to fly all over the field…sticks on primary targets…not a great field general…makes awful decisions with the ball…takes unnecessary sacks even with time and clear and clean pocket, loves to hold the ball looking for big play rather than take what defense gives them…

Summary: If you were going to build the perfect quarterback, you’d want size, arm strength, and a strong build. Kizer has that. However, you’d also want the guy to have field smarts and Kizer is lacking at times. He can be a really good pro, just needs to get out of his own head or at least let someone in to help him out.

Up Next: Cal QB Davis Webb

Previously: Clemson QB Deshaun Watson

Dawg Biscuits

Dawg Biscuits: Draft Edition

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***Dawg Biscuits is a daily rundown of thoughts, news, and opinions on the Cleveland Browns.***

  • Rumors continue to swirl that the Browns are thinking about taking North Carolina QB and Mentor, Ohio native Mitchell Trubisky with the number one overall pick. While I wrote the other day that the Browns draft is about more than just 2017 and that taking he QB, if you believe he is a franchise type, is a no brainer, this pick should still be Myles Garrett.
  • Speaking of rumors…now there is talk that the 49ers are thinking about taking Trubisky at 2. I don’t buy that. I think the Niners want to trade out of the 2 spot and would prefer to add picks. If they are unable to move back, I think Solomon Thomas from Stanford would be the pick.
  • Watched a lot of Davis Webb this weekend. While he has some arm talent, he is Brandon Weeden-esque against the pass rush. He panics and instantly gets happy feet. I still have him currently as my fifth ranked quarterback, but he is a project and not only because of the panic and happy feet, but most of his throws were inside 10 yards.
  • There are only four quarterbacks in this draft I would take in the first 65 picks, Trubisky, Patrick Mahomes, Deshaun Watson, DeShone Kizer, in that order. Only Trubisky and Mahomes have first round grades on my board.
  • Watson’s 45 mile per hour throw at the combine has been brought up a lot, mainly because that is a really weak mark for an NFL quarterback. However, I don’t believe it was indicative of his actual arm strength. On film it looks like he is throwing a lot harder, while leaving something to be desired, but remember Dak Prescott threw soft at the combine last year (due to a later disclosed injury) and ended up being pretty damn good.
  • NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah selected Garrett and Alabama LB Reuben Foster for the Browns in the NFL Network Live Mock Draft last night. While I love Foster’s ability, he is falling fast due to off the field issues so 12 would be a little high for him most likely. More importantly however is that the NFL is now a passing league more than ever and because of that teams are in nickel defense 60-70% of the time. The Browns two best defenders Christian Kirksey and Jamie Collins will be on the field in nickel, making Foster a part-time player. Not what the Browns want from the 12th overall pick.
  • Don’t be surprised if the Browns take the best available at 1 and 12 and do not force the quarterback issue. I like Mahomes and Trubisky, but love next years class.
  • I think Foster and Washington WR John Ross both fall to round 2.
  • Watson may be the first QB taken because of his intangibles and will be an easy sell to a fan base…(looking at you New York Jets)
  • Mahomes is the biggest boom or bust player in this draft. Is he Favre or Jay Cutler?
  • The Jaguars will NOT take Leonard Fournette at 4.
  • Fournette might go after Christian McCaffery.
  • Anything you want to add? Argue about? Get off your mind? Follow me on twitter @SomervilleCLE or email us at OAB365@gmail.com
Browns, NFL

Browns 2017 Schedule

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If the Browns want to bounce back and improve on a 1-15 record in 2016, they need to get better in the AFC North in 2017 and they will get to start work immediately as they will open the season at First Energy Stadium against the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 10, before traveling to Baltimore in week one. In fact three of their first four games are against their AFC North foes with only a week three matchup Indianapolis seperating their week four homecoming against the Bengals.

All but two of the Browns games will be 1 p.m. kickoffs. Their week eight matchup in London against the Vikings will be at 9:30 a.m. and thier trip to the west coast to face the only team they beat last season, the new Los Angeles Chargers, will kick off at 4:05.

The schedule will end on New Years Eve with a matchup in Pittsburgh against the Steelers. Here is to hoping that game means something.

The entire schedule is as follows:

Week/Date Opponent Time/Network
Wk 1 – Sep. 10 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers 1:00 p.m. (CBS)
Wk 2 – Sep. 17 at Baltimore Ravens 1:00 p.m. (CBS)
Wk 3 – Sep. 24 at Indianapolis Colts 1:00 p.m. (CBS)
Wk 4 – Oct. 1 vs. Cincinnati Bengals 1:00 p.m. (CBS)
Wk 5 – Oct. 8 vs. New York Jets 1:00 p.m. (FOX)
Wk 6 – Oct. 15 at Houston Texans 1:00 p.m. (CBS)
Wk 7 – Oct. 22 vs. Tennessee Titans 1:00 p.m. (CBS)
Wk 8 – Oct. 29 Minnesota Vikings (London) 9:30 a.m. (NFL Network)
Wk 9 – Nov. 5 BYE
Wk 10 – Nov. 12 at Detroit Lions 1:00 p.m. (CBS)
Wk 11 – Nov. 19 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars 1:00 p.m. (CBS)
Wk 12 – Nov. 26 at Cincinnati Bengals 1:00 p.m. (CBS)
Wk 13 – Dec. 3 at Los Angeles Chargers 4:05 p.m. (CBS)
Wk 14 – Dec. 10 vs. Green Bay Packers 1:00 p.m. (FOX)
Wk 15 – Dec. 17 vs. Baltimore Ravens 1:00 p.m. (CBS)
Wk 16 – Dec. 24 at Chicago Bears 1:00 p.m. (CBS)
Wk 17 – Dec. 31 at Pittsburgh Steelers 1:00 p.m. (CBS)
Browns, Draft

2017 NFL Draft Offensive Positional Rankings

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With the NFL Draft just a week away my positional rankings are finally set. Today I will post my offensive top five per position and they will soon be followed by my defensive top five.

Quarterback

  1. Mitchell Trubisky, North Carolina
  2. Patrick Mahomes, Texas Tech
  3. Deshaun Watson, Clemson
  4. Deshone Kizer, Notre Dame
  5. Davis Webb, California

Summary: Trubisky has held steady as my number one guy throughout the process, with Mahomes gaining fast. None of these guys should start in 2017, but with enough work, they could all be diamonds in the rough in just a few years.

Running Back

  1. Leonard Fournette, LSU
  2. Christian McCaffery, Stanford
  3. Dalvin Cook, Florida State
  4. Joe Mixon, Oklahoma
  5. Alvin Kamara, Tennessee

Summary: There is a lot of running back talent in this draft and who goes where will be based on what a team wants or needs. Fournette is my clear number one, with the human swiss army knife McCaffery not far behind. Mixon, if not for off of the field stupidity, would be near the top, almost side by side with Fournette.

Wide Receiver

  1. Corey Davis, Western Michigan
  2. Mike Williams, Clemson
  3. John Ross, Washington
  4. Curtis Samuel, Ohio State
  5. JuJu Smith-Schuster, USC

Summary: Much like the running back position, the wide receiver spot is filled with players who can fill a variety of roles. Davis and Williams are neck and neck for my number one spot, but the big bodied Davis reminds me of (should be) hall of famer Terrell Owens. Samuel is the McCaffery of this group and can do a little bit of everything.

Tight End

  1. O.J. Howard, Alabama
  2. David Njoku, Miami
  3. Evan Engram, Mississippi
  4. Adam Shaheen, Ashland
  5. Bucky Hodges, Virginia Tech

Summary: Howard is my clear number one tight end. He can do everything you want at the tight end spot, including block. Njoku,Engram, and Hodges are basically big slot receivers who will line up at tight end from time to time but are weak blockers. Shaheen is a small school monster who showed that he can do a little bit of everything against weaker competition. He is definitely the wild card at this spot.

Offensive Tackle

  1. Ryan Ramczyk, Wisconsin
  2. Garrett Bolles, Utah
  3. Cam Robinson, Alabama
  4. Rod Johnson, Florida State
  5. Antonio Garcia, Troy

Summary: Much like the QB spot, none of these guys are going to be great in 2017. Among them I believe Ramczyk has the best chance of becoming a good left tackle the soonest, with Bolles not far behind. Robinson, Johnson, and Garcia are all best suited at right tackle and may eventually move to guard.

Offensive Guard/Center

  1. Forrest Lamp, Western Kentucky
  2. Dan Feeney, Indiana
  3. Pat Elflein, Ohio State
  4. Ethan Pocic, LSU
  5. Dorian Johnson, Pitt

Summary: Lamp and Feeney are the clear top guard talent in this draft, with Lamp the only one I have a first round grade on. Elflein is the only center I have in my top 60 players (60). Though Pocic played center at LSU, I think he is best suited at guard in the NFL due to his 6’6″ height. Tall centers struggle in the NFL.

 

Browns, Draft

Browns Draft About More Than 2017

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With reports coming out over the past few days tying the Browns to North Carolina quarterback Mitch Trubisky, rather than Texas A & M monster defensive end Myles Garrett with the first overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, pundits around the country were quick to jump on the downtrodden franchise for a number of reasons.

Among the reasons mentioned is the point that Garrett will be an immediate impact player on a roster clearly void of such players. While I agree that this is most likely the case, if the Cleveland Browns front office determines that Mitch Trubisky is in fact a guy they believe can lead their franchise beyond 2017 and into the future, then the pick is a no brainer, it’s the quarterback every time.

With the Browns being atrocious in the NFL draft every season since 1999 and keeping the team from being competitive due to awful decision-making, it is easy to second guess any move they make. We all have been guilty of it at some point. However, there are no guarantees in the NFL Draft and that includes Garrett.

While Garrett most likely will be a star in the NFL as an edge rusher, quarterback is the most important position on the field in all of sports. With the number one overall pick in the draft, the Browns have their choice of every available player and the organization owes it to themselves and their fans to look at every conceivable option before making a final decision.

Regardless of what the Browns do in this draft, it takes a full three years to truly determine the success of a draft class. So patience is necessary.

Basically what I am saying here is that while Garrett will be the best player for the Browns in 2017, he may not be the best choice for the long-term future.

In the end, Garrett is most likely the pick, but if the Browns think any quarterback is heads above the others in this class and there is any chance they will lose out on a possible franchise guy, they must select them first overall, even if it costs them Garrett.

Browns, Draft

OAB365 Mock Draft 2.0

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We are just 17 days from the 2017 NFL Draft and the Cleveland Browns are on the clock, with little suspense as to who they are going to pick. In mock draft 2.0 here on OAB365, I stop just short of the Browns third pick, but in my final mock in two weeks I will take it two full rounds.

  1. Cleveland Browns- EDGE Myles Garrett, Texas A&M

Garrett is the biggest stud in this draft. The Browns do not need more draft picks. They need stars. The card is ready to be turned in.

  1. San Francisco 49ers- DL Solomon Thomas, Stanford

After Garrett, Thomas may be the best pass rusher in this draft. Even with multiple first round picks on the line already, the Niners still do not have great pass rushers. Thomas will change that.

  1. Chicago Bears- CB Marshon Lattimore, Ohio State

The Bears secondary needs help. Lattimore has the ability to become a shutdown type CB.

  1. Jacksonville Jaguars- RB Leonard Fournette, LSU

The Jags have a good young defense, but the offense seems to be stuck in neutral. They need to take pressure off Blake Bortles and the passing game. Fournette can do that.

  1. Tennessee Titans- S Jamal Adams, LSU

If Lattimore fell, he’d be the pick here, but Adams is a great consolation prize. I don’t think he’s as physical as others but the kid as all the traits to be a stud safety for years.

  1. New York Jets- QB Mitch Trubisky, North Carolina

Despite one season of starts, Trubisky was able to show NFL traits. He will sit for a little bit, but will instantly be the best QB on the roster.

  1. Los Angeles Chargers- S Malik Hooker, Ohio State

For the second year in a row, the Chargers head to Columbus to take an instant impact defender. Hooker is the best centerfielder in this draft.

  1. Carolina Panthers- DL Jonathan Allen, Alabama

Allen can play across the defensive line making him a fit based on talent alone. The Panthers could use some offensive weapons but Allen is tough to pass at this point in the draft.

  1. Cincinnati Bengals- LB Reuben Foster, Alabama

Foster has had his share of issues off the field, including being sent home from the combine, but the Bengals do not mind off field issues if the talent is a need. Foster is an athletic sideline-to-sideline linebacker who will be a perfect fit next to Vontaze Burfict.

  1. Buffalo Bills- TE O.J. Howard, Alabama

Tyrod Taylor is staying in Buffalo, so maybe the Bills should get him some weapons. Howard is a pure tight end who can do everything.

  1. New Orleans Saints- CB Quincy Wilson, Florida

Wilson is an instant upgrade for the Saints defense. The team needs secondary help and I think Wilson fits them better than anyone.

  1. Cleveland Browns- QB Patrick Mahomes, Texas Tech

Accurate, insanely strong armed gunslinger, who has best pure arm talent in this draft. I do worry sometimes that he lacks touch, but he has every skill you want in a future franchise leader.

  1. Arizona Cardinals- WR Corey Davis, Western Michigan

Larry Fitzgerald isn’t going to play forever and Davis is the perfect guy to come in and become the heir apparent.

  1. Philadelphia Eagles- WR Mike Williams, Clemson

Even with the signing of Alshon Jeffery, the Eagles need to get Carson Wentz more help. Williams has the talent to be a number one guy for a long time.

  1. Indianapolis Colts- CB Gareon Conley, Ohio State

The Colts defense needs to get better and take pressure of Andrew Luck. Conley has the talent to be a shutdown guy, but may take some time to grow into the position.

  1. Baltimore Ravens- WR John Ross, Washington

After losing Steve Smith to retirement, the Ravens need help at the WR spot. Adding the fastest man in the draft with big arm Joe Flacco could make for an exciting duo.

  1. Washington Redskins- DT Malik McDowell, Michigan State

McDowell has the skills to be a star. The Redskins could use a monster in the middle of their defense and McDowell

  1. Tennessee Titans- CB Chidobe Awuzie, Colorado

Awuzie can play CB or FS and excel at either. Even with free agent additions Cyprien and Ryan, adding Awuzie and Adams in round one would be a coup for the Titans.

  1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- RB Dalvin Cook, Florida State

Cook’s draft stock has been slipping, but reuniting with Jameis Winston could be a perfect fit for him and the Buccaneers.

  1. Denver Broncos- OT Ryan Ramczyk, Wisconsin

The Broncos still have a loaded defense, so this pick will likely be offense. Adding Ramczyk to their offensive line could be a weapon for them on offense. His strength and athleticism are perfect fits for Mike McCoy’s offense.

  1. Detroit Lions- LB Haason Reddick, Temple

Reddick can play off the edge and be a stud weak side LB. Perfect fit for the Lions.

  1. Miami Dolphins- OG Forrest Lamp, Western Kentucky

Miami needs to keep Ryan Tannehill upright and open holes for Jay Ajayi if they want any chance of winning. Lamp will help them do that day one.

  1. New York Giants- RB Christian McCaffrey, Stanford

McCaffrey is a jack of all trades who could take the Giants offense to the next level in both the run and pass games.

  1. Oakland Raiders- TE David Njoku, Miami

The Raiders could pick a running back or go secondary with this pick, but Njoku is someone they cannot pass on at this point. Tight end size with wide out ability, Njoku would be a great addition to the Raiders young and potent offense.

  1. Houston Texans- QB Deshaun Watson, Clemson

A Super Bowl caliber defense and a giant hole behind center. The Texans take Watson here and hope he develops quickly behind Tom Savage.

  1. Seattle Seahawks- CB Kevin King, Washington

Whether Richard Sherman is dealt or not, King with his combination of size and talent is a perfect fit for the Seahawks defense.

  1. Kansas City Chiefs- EDGE Takkarist McKinley, UCLA

The Chiefs do not have any glaring needs which will allow them to take McKinley late in round one and allow him to develop into a Tamba Hali clone.

  1. Dallas Cowboys- DE Charles Harris, Missouri

The Cowboys need to get to the quarterback and adding Harris will help them do that. If Harris can play to his potential, Dallas might have a star on their hands.

  1. Green Bay Packers- RB Joe Mixon, Oklahoma

The Packers need a running game behind Aaron Rodgers and there may not be a more talented runner in this draft than Mixon. He does come with baggage, but I believe the Packers would have the support system around him to allow him to succeed.

  1. Pittsburgh Steelers- S Jabrill Peppers, Michigan

Peppers will give the Steelers and in the box safety who can also move around the defense for them.

  1. Atlanta Falcons-EDGE Derek Barnett, Tennessee

More depth on the defensive line for the NFC Champions. I am not as high on Barnett as others, but I do think he would be a great fit for Dan Quinn and the Falcons.

  1. New Orleans Saints- S Budda Baker, Washington

The Saints add more power to their secondary with their second first round pick. Baker is an undersized player with an immeasurable heart and a ball hawking mentality.

Browns, Draft, NFL

Cleveland Browns Full Six-Round Mock Draft Version 1.0

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We are 44 days from the 2017 NFL Draft and with the Cleveland Browns holding the first pick, just about anything is possible. Over the next  six and a half weeks I will be posting a mock draft each week. On alternating weeks, I will post an NFL mock draft and on the other weeks I will post a Browns only mock.

Today begins the first Browns only mock draft of the season here on OrangeandBrown365.com. With the Browns having zero picks after the sixth round, this will only be a six-round mock.

*Note: Fanspeak’s mock draft simulator was used for this along with Matt Miller’s Big Board

Round 1 Pick 1: EDGE Myles Garret, Texas A&M

Garrett is a pass rushing monster. A better prospect at this point in his career than Jadaveon Clowney was. There are very little guarantees in the draft, but Garrett just may be as close as you can get. Power, finesse, speed, agility, he is the total pass rushing package and will be a guy the Browns can plug in and play day one.

Round 1 Pick 12: QB Mitchell Trubisky, North Carolina

In my opinion Trubisky is the best quarterback in this draft with Patrick Mahomes following directly after. Trubisky has a blend of touch and power on his passes and his accurate in and out of the pocket. The former Mentor Cardinal is also a very good athlete and shows good escapability in the pocket. He will be able to handle the pressure of being the Browns QB, my only worry is if fans will be able to handle their own expectations.

Round 2 Pick 33: S Budda Baker, Washington

Baker is an instinctual athlete with a lot more power than it looks like his small frame can produce. He is smaller than you’d like a safety to be at 5’10” and just 195 pounds, but he is a centerfielder with heart who can also play in the slot.

Round 2 Pick 52: CB Adoree’ Jackson, USC

Jackson is an elite athlete who showed greatly improved ball skills and coverage in his final season as a USC Trojan. He can start out in the slot and work his way outside later in his career, while being a huge bonus on special teams as a return man.

Round 3 Pick 65: TE Evan Ingram, Ole Miss

An explosive athlete at tight end in the mold of Washington’s Jordan Reed. Ingram ran a 4.42 40-yard dash at the combine. He will be a chess piece for Hue Jackson to move around the field. He needs to get better at sitting in zone coverage, but manages to find himself open at all levels of the field in man.

Round 4 Pick 108: EDGE Tarell Basham, Ohio

Athletic and strong off of the edge, Basham has an NFL body at 6’4″ and 270 pounds and shows flashes of explosion. His stiffness and lack of a full arsenal of pass rush moves will allow him to slide here where he can be a steal for the Cleveland Browns.

Round 5 Pick 145: WR JuJu Smith-Schuster

Smith-Schuster has very good size and average speed for the WR position. He is a very aggressive target and has great body control. At this point in the draft Smith-Schuster would be a steal as he as all the talent and ability to be at worst a very good number two WR in the NFL.

Round 5 Pick 175: SS Delano Hill, Michigan

A perfect fit for a Greg Williams defense as Hill is aggressive and physical at the point of attack and loves to live near the line of scrimmage. His coverage skills leave something to be desired, but he does have the ability to become an average zone defender.

Round 5 Pick 181: DT Davon Godchaux, LSU

Godchaux is a space eater and will be a rotation guy who will probably rarely, if ever, get much of a pass rush. He has the ability to use his hands, leverage, and reaction times to fill the hole.

Round 6 Pick 185: LB Alex Anzalone, Florida

A very talented and fluid linebacker who just cannot seem to stay healthy. Anzalone can be a steal at this point in the draft or at minimum a guy who can help on special teams. If he can stay healthy, he could develop into a very good player, however, given his history that is a very big if.

Round 6 Pick 188: RB Donnel Pumphrey, San Diego State

A small (5’8″, 176 pounds) but very fluid runner with great agility. He is the all time leading rusher in NCAA history and has proven he is able to take a beating. His size will hurt him against NFL blitzers but his heart will help him in the run game.

 

Browns, NFL

Browns Release RGIII

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In a move that should come as no surprise, the Cleveland Browns have released quarterback Robert Griffin III. 

The former number two overall pick in the 2012 draft by the Washington Redskins, came to Cleveland looking to revive his career. Unfortunately, for Griffin and the Browns, 2016 was not a good year for either. 

The move comes a day after the team acquired quarterback Brock Osweiler from the Houston Texans. 

While the move to bring in Osweiler has no part in the release of Griffin, the team will save more than $8 million by releasing the former Heisman Trophy winner. 

After being injured in the season opener, Griffin returned to the lineup in December but still looked out of place. He finished his Browns career with a 72.5 rating as a starter. Only Osweiler and Ryan Fitzpatrick of the New York Jets had a worse rating. 

Browns, Draft, NFL, Uncategorized

Stunner: Browns Acquire Osweiler

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In a move that stunned the NFL the Cleveland Browns have acquired quarterback Brock Osweiler from the Houston Texans via trade on Thursday.

In the deal, the Browns sent a 2017 fourth-round pick to the Texans who in return for Osweiler, a 2017 sixth-round pick and a 2018 second-round pick.While the move surprised many it is actually one of the rare deals that works out great for both parties involved.

The Texans get out from under the $16 million in cash owed to Osweiler and the $10 million cap hit he would have had after they signed him to a four-year $72 million contract in 2016. The money can now give the team the flexibility to sign Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo whom the team feels can lead them deeper into the playoffs than their defense has over the past two seasons.

The Browns give up a late fourth-round pick, most likely a compensatory pick, and now have added a third second-round pick in the 2018 draft and have already fielded calls for Osweiler who they are not looking to keep. If they fail to trade Osweiler, the team will likely release him. His $16 million would count as dead money on the cap in 2017, but if the team also releases quarterback Robert Griffin they would save nearly $7 million and in turn only be forced to take the hit for $9 million of Osweilers contract after subtracting RGIII.

While most think that it would be impossible to find a taker for Osweiler,the Browns are willing to pay half of his 2017 salary. At $8 million for 2017 it’s not a terrible option, especially after seeing Mike Glennon get $15 million per season from the Chicago Bears. Osweiler is guaranteed $16 million this season but nothing in 2018 or 19, so any team trading for him could pay $8 million for one season and then move on if they do not want to pay the $18 million he is due in 2018 or $13 million base and $4 million roster bonus in 2019.

The original trade was shocking, but after seeing the details it looks like a very smart trade for the Browns front office, essentially buying a 2018 second-round pick for possibly $9 million and whatever else they can get from the deal. It is an NBA like trade for an MLB like front office in the NFL.

Browns, NFL

Browns Add Zeitler and Tretter in O-Line Overhaul

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After losing two offensive linemen last season in free agency to begin 2016, the Cleveland Browns have set out to restock their offensive line in 2017.

On the first day of free agency, the team locked up left guard Joel Bitonio to massive $51.2 million extension and then made former Bengals right guard Kevin Zeitler the highest paid guard in NFL history when they signed him to a five-year $60 million deal with $31.5 million of that guaranteed.

The $12 million annual average value surpasses the $11.7 million per season that the Raiders gave guard Kelechi Osemele.

Guard was not the only position the team wanted to sure up to begin the new NFL league year as they also added former Packers center J.C. Tretter on a three-year deal that will allow the team to upgrade at center a year after seeing a massive downgrade in play at that position.

The addition of Zeitler not only strengthens the Browns offensive line, but also weakens a division rival who lost their starting left tackle as well on Thursday.

Browns, NFL

Browns Sign Bitonio to Massive Extension

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While the Browns spent the first day of the new league year signing other teams free agents, they also made sure that one of their own players won’t reach free agency in 2018.

The team reached an agreement on a five-year, $51.2 million deal that will guarantee the 2014 second-round pick $23.7 million and keep him in orange and brown until 2022.

While Bitonio has missed 17 of the last 32 games the team has played, when healthy he teams with perennial All-Pro left tackle Joe Thomas to give the Browns one of the top left sides of the offensive line in the NFL.

While some may see it as a risk due to his injury history, Browns Executive Vice President of Football Sashi Brown sees the move as a building block for the future.

“It’s important for us to identify the young talented players on our roster, who fit our culture, and make sure they remain with the Cleveland Browns.” said Brown. “Joel has proven that he is a smart , tough, physical football player and we view him as one of the best young linemen in the league.”

Regardless of what critics say, the move does show that the team is looking to keep home-grown talent, which is something many of criticized them for failing to do in the past. It also gives the Browns one shining piece out of the awful 2014 draft.