Sobo's Premature Free Agent Preview

[Enigmatic Evil]

This is about a third of the story, the entirety of the article can be read here.

I think it raises a lot of good points and I agree that a player like Amendola could be a valuable slot option. I had no idea he had 85 receptions for St. Louis last year... that's gotta be close to more than our ENTIRE receiver corps. Laurent Robinson is a receiver I always liked from Atlanta and I think he's underrated and we could probably get him for a good price. He would bolster our WR corps as well. The article throws names like Lance Moore and James Jones which are names we are not strangers to. Names we've thrown around in the past.

The article throws some interesting defensive names out there as well, guys like Jason Babin and Kelly Jennings who I think could instantly contribute to our D if we brought them in. Jason Babin had a career high 12.5 sacks for the Titan's last season and might be looking for a higher profile team to give him a big paycheck but who knows.

Earlier this week, the San Diego Chargers labeled Vincent Jackson with the franchise tag. It will elevate the superstar wide receiver into the next tax bracket as becomes one of the five highest paid players at his position. More importantly, it will prevent Browns fans from continually slobbering over the (unlikely) possibility of signing Jackson. Despite much of the Browns fan base spending the offseason praying for the world to be handed to the Cleveland Browns during free agency, in the end reality always seems to rise up and slap them in the face.

It is time to face facts.

Cleveland isn't a likely landing spot for most, if any, of the league's upcoming top free agents once a collective bargaining deal is finished. Lamar Woodley, Sidney Rice, Santonio Holmes, DeAngelo Williams, Arian Foster, Champ Bailey, Nnamdi Asomugha, Peyton Manning, and Michael Vick can be stricken from the wish list. It's the next lower tier of free agents, and the talent below that, who become interesting once a labor agreement is reached.

Regimes often build a foundation based on familiarity. Familiarity breeds trust. Trust is established through nepotistic roots. Four distinct "family" branches permeate throughout the latest incarnation of the Cleveland Browns.

It starts with the team's final say in personnel matters, general manager Tom Heckert, and his previous stint with the Philadelphia Eagles. President Mike Holmgren still holds sway as evidenced by his actions last year in forcing the hand of Heckert to draft Colt McCoy at quarterback. New head coach and the team's offensive coordinator, Pat Shurmur, recently left the St. Louis Rams. Finally, Dick Jauron has a long history and deep ties established during his experience as a former head coach, coordinator, and most recently as a positional coach for the Philadelphia Eagles. It’s those types of previously built relationships that will be the predominant basis for the Browns approach as they attempt to rebuild, version 5.0.

A big piece of the puzzle is the recent addition of Shurmur as the team's head coach. During his two-year stint as the offensive coordinator for the Rams, he dealt with a top rookie behind center, numerous injuries at wide receiver and a one-dimensional running attack. Despite those issues the Rams still improved by 7.2 points per game, 22.8 total yards per game, 36.3 passing yards per game, and saw a three percent increase in passing accuracy from 2009 to 2010.

Some of the players who helped Shurmur achieve that level of improvement will be part of the free agency pool for next season. Three, in particular, could improve the Browns' woeful receiving corps.

Danny Amendola may not ‘wow’ anyone with his combination of size and speed, but the NFL is becoming less of a measurable crazed society. Wes Welker, a former collegiate teammate of Amendola’s, became the template for slot receivers dominating a team’s passing attack. Amendola isn’t on the same level as Welker when it comes to short area quickness, but St. Louis’ former target in the slot still finds ways to get open against defenders. He was Sam Bradford’s favorite target last year and had 85 receptions. Amendola, 25, can be the same reliable outlet for McCoy. Reliability may be more of a concern for the Browns than explosiveness for a receiving unit that struggled so mightily in 2010.

Two more targets from the Gateway City will be available.

Mark Clayton was having a resurgent season after being traded from Baltimore to St. Louis. He opened the season against Arizona, posting 10 receptions for 119 yards. His final two games, before injury, Clayton averaged five catches for nearly 80 yards. He tore a patella tendon in the first quarter of the Rams’ fifth game against Detroit. It was a devastating injury, but he may still be a legitimate option at 28. The third potential addition from the same unit was Clayton's replacement, Laurent Robinson. The 25-year old stepped in as the team's second starter with 29 receptions and 311 yards in the final 10 games of the season.

[Flugel]

Originally Posted by Enigmatic Evil

This is about a third of the story, the entirety of the article can be read here.

I think it raises a lot of good points and I agree that a player like Amendola could be a valuable slot option. I had no idea he had 85 receptions for St. Louis last year... that's gotta be close to more than our ENTIRE receiver corps. Laurent Robinson is a receiver I always liked from Atlanta and I think he's underrated and we could probably get him for a good price. He would bolster our WR corps as well. The article throws names like Lance Moore and James Jones which are names we are not strangers to. Names we've thrown around in the past.

The article throws some interesting defensive names out there as well, guys like Jason Babin and Kelly Jennings who I think could instantly contribute to our D if we brought them in. Jason Babin had a career high 12.5 sacks for the Titan's last season and might be looking for a higher profile team to give him a big paycheck but who knows.

I REALLY needed to see something like this. Thanks E! Every time people start saying names like Vincent Jackson or even Sidney Rice and thinking they're gonna want in on Cleveland learning a brand new offense, I get 2 seconds of excitement stomped by reality. Those types NEVER want a team in transition. Let's be honest.

That said, I picked up Danny A in a couple point per reception leagues in ff because he busts tail to run good routes. And, even better, he's got that courage over the middle that the more glamorous Dennis Northcutts of the world NEVER showed any signs of. PLUS, Danny A is good return man if Cribbs continues to battle wear and tear. In New Orleans, Lance Moore turned out to be EVERYTHING that the 1st round draft pick Meachum was supposed to be. AND, he's another good return guy if we need the dual purpose thing.

[BernietheKid]

Good Stuff EE! I will add some other names from the article that I would like to see in Brown and Orange. I will also post those parts of the article. Out of this list I would really like Atogwe, Pousluszny, Steve Smith, Kiwanuka, Rocky McIntosh and Brandon Mebane. I would also add DE Ray Edwards from the Vikings to this list.

The Rams recently released O.J. Atogwe, whom they thought highly enough to place the franchise tag on a year ago. Now, he is a street free agent and an upgrade to at least one potential safety position. Clifton Ryan started 27 games at defensive tackle in 2008 and 2009, before succumbing to serious migraine issues because of a concussion suffered early in the 2010 season. If proven healthy, Ryan becomes a legitimate option for a starting defensive tackle position. David Vobora is another solid option to provide more young depth to Browns linebacking corps, particularly along the weakside where he has started 16 games the last three seasons. Finally, among available Rams, C.J. Ah You was a large part in the Rams’ defensive end rotation a season ago, posting four sacks.

One additional linebacker with ties to Jauron is Buffalo's Paul Posluszny. The Penn State product was a second round selection and played his rookie season with Jauron the head coach. Mangini raved about Posluszny after last season's meeting with Buffalo. He was not far off in his praise of this ever-present tackling machine finished third in the NFL with 151 total tackles. A change in scenery may also play a role, as Posluszny is not an ideal 3-4 linebacker, the system Buffalo currently employs. A move to a team having him play behind a four-man front is ideal.

Brandon Mebane is one of the better, yet unheralded, defensive tackles in the league. The interior defender was a third round pick of Holmgren's in 2007. He is only 26 years old. His first step is one of the quickest among his contemporaries. He can play as a one-technique or three-technique. He lacks ideal height, but his leverage only adds to his initial burst - a burst that was partially slowed by a calf injury last season. Mebane's talent, combined with Cleveland's critical need for young talented players along the defensive line, may make him a priority target for the Browns.

Additional players who should also draw interest, but who are not as familiar to the decision makers within the walls of Berea include: James Jones (WR, Green Bay), Lance Moore (WR, New Orleans), Malcolm Floyd (WR, San Diego), Steve Smith (WR, NY Giants), Mathias Kiwanuka (DE, NY Giants), Rocky McIntosh (LB, Washington), Tavares Gooden (LB, Baltimore), Clint Session (LB, Indianapolis), and Stephen Nicholas (LB, Atlanta).

Scout.com: Sobo's Premature Free Agent Preview

[Brown Warrior]

Great article because of the take: The Brown are not gonna be a big target for the elite free agents, most of whom will be staying home anyway. But if you look at "familiars" for Holmgren, Shurmur, Heckert, and Jauron, you see some realistic targets.

I don't get super excited about Danny Amendola, although I could totally see it happening. He's a guy who has a 7.9 YPC in two years, which is stunningly low for a WR. He turns 7 yard catches into... 7 yard catches. He more benefitted from the kid gloves Shurmur used on Bradford, to Shurmur's credit. He's Welker without the wiggle.

I get the notion of reliability over speed given that McCoy isn't a go-deep guy... but the offense can just get jammed up that way, as we've seen. I can see the Browns finding a way to get Torrey Smith or Titus Young and then adding him to Robiskie, Watson, and Amendole... but I also fear it because CBs won't.

Bradley's very interesting, a terrific young MLB who could be available because of injury issues. You take your chances with him but it could pay out big. Posluszny is thought to get a little overwhelmed at the point but he is a tackling machine. Fluges might say he's a white DQJ.

I totally agree with Sobo that Brandon Mebane is EXACTLY the young upside guy the Browns could home in on. He's just 26 and a very good and very quick 4-3 DT you could plug in next to Rubin and feel very, very good about your DTs.

I think James Jones is probably our gold standard at WR and there's a small chance he'll hit the market because of his drops... but there's a reason a guy is available and you have to manage risk. He has the potential to improve his concentration and become a true #1 in this league. Signing Jones and drafting speed in round 2 would be a high level approach to a weakness that leaves the #6 pick for a pass rusher.

I think it's obvious we lack a WSLB who can cover, hence the names McIntosh, Gooden, Session, Nicholas (a good idea), and guys like Lawrence Wilson in the draft. It's a position we've virtually forgotten about playing the 3-4, the smaller, quicker OLB who isn't a pass rusher.

[Sez.EJ]

Former rams recievers .. not real excited..there are much better free agent options out there.

[Enigmatic Evil]

Who are some of the guys you would like to see us bring in?

[Brown Warrior]

Assuming Fajita starts at SSLB and for giggles, let's say either Gocong or Jackson starts in the middle, so that leaves an opening at WSLB. I'd like to see us sign someone like McIntosh and draft someone like the Washington kid Mason Foster, both of whom offer some versatility.

I love the idea of Mebane as a top free agent target. James Jones would be a serious get and allow us to go with Quinn in one. DL of Quinn, Rubin, Mebane, and Mitchell sounds good, with Shaefering and Benard in the rotation.

Draft a speed WR in round two (Young, Smith, Baldwin). If all three are gone, you could trade down and still pick Greg Little.

So many scenarios...

[Sez.EJ]

Originally Posted by Enigmatic Evil

Who are some of the guys you would like to see us bring in?

Guys I like us to possibly bring in as WR's.. Santonio Holmes, James Jones, Mike Simms-Walker, Legadu Naanee, Steve Smith, Brandon Stokely, Malcom Floyd, Mike Williams, Steve Breaston, Sidney Rice, early doucet, Devin Aromashadu, Lance Moore. Any of these guys will upgrade the WR corps.. at least bring in some real competition and guys who have proven they can run routes and catch the ball..They may not be LONG term answers..but sometimes you fill some holes with free agents while you build via the draft.. Most of these guys are young too..that is another reason they are on my list as they all seem to good upside and can grow within the system. Holmes, Jones, and Williams will be the toughest to get.. but that does not mean we can't get them. The others are not game breakers...but guys who can upgrade the position..not tough to do on our team.. I would say ALL of these guys blow away what we currently have.. again...that's not saying much since we have the worse WR's in the league as things stand right now. We must bring in solid competition via free agency and the draft... If we only Draft 1 WR in this draft...even if we get Green at #5....we are still going to suck..we must do both..draft and free agency.

I justify any of these guys listed above. Why? No one on our roster could start on another team in the NFL right now. IMO we could turn over the entire WR corps top to bottom and we would not miss anyone. Yes..anyone.

[Brown Warrior]

I'd like to see Mebane and a legit young linebacker, preferably one with some versatility. Would love to see a WR, but I don't think there are any who are going to stop us from taking another one in the first two rounds.

My dream draft is Green, Sheard, and Mason Foster. You add Sheard, Foster, and one of the linebackers listed above, you've got some depth at both levels of the front seven. Sheard, Rubin, Mebane, and Mitchell could start on the line with Shaefering and Benard as the rotational guys. I like it a lot.

At linebacker, Foster and McIntosh compete, Gocong and Jackson compete, and Fujita starts on the strong side. Nice depth.

On offense, you already had high level players at LT, C, FB, TB, and TE... and now you've got some scary at WR with Green. I think the WR you add in free agency would ideally be a slot type guy. It all adds up to a good situation for McCoy.

On the right side, the hope is that Lauvao leverages his redshirt year into the starting RG spot and Pashos/Womack is a solid RT tandem. We'd draft another guy around round 4, maybe add a free agent, too. Yates is nice depth for the interior.

Bam.

[Brown Warrior]

The ideal slot receiver: Lance Moore. Come on home. Another WR at either 6 or 37.

[Brown Warrior]

Worth mentioning that the Vikings franchised Greenway, not Sidney Rice... who's been playing in the same offense with the same terminology as the one we'll be running. From Holmgren to Reid to Chilly and Shurmur... back to Holmgren.

If he's healthy, Rice is a legit #1 type of WR. It would change everything.

[Solon16]

Rice would be a dream if his hip is not shot. But as someone astutely pointed out Cleveland isn't truly a place to choose for a Wr. But here he'd become a legend:P

One additional linebacker with ties to Jauron is Buffalo's Paul Posluszny. *All I could say is, Fking bring it. weeeeeeeee Love to get a true LB