Are You READY???

[Brown Warrior]

Owners gave up on the "right of first refusal" bullshit on free agency. That was pretty much the last issue and a handshake will be announced, well... whenever they feel like it. But it's over. They have to settle the lawsuits but that's a parallel path.

Players are saying they're being told that they can show up for work on the 25th. Boylan hears the settlement on Tuesday, owners vote (yea) on it on Thursday, UDFA and F/A will begin on the 22nd or 28th, depending on whom you believe.

Halle-fucking-luja. Let's get going, people. Let's nail some of those UDFAs right away, because I think it's a bit of an unusual class (someone else in the national media said the same, BTW). I've never seen so many guys who really should've been picked in round 4 or 5 who are sitting out there for the having.

Then we need five key free agents, guys who either start or contribute. I'm stoked as hell.

Owners give up right of first refusal idea | ProFootballTalk

[Brown Warrior]

Was this posted? Walker tagging Devine and Sanzenbacher for Browns?

Five rookie free agents to watch - NFL Nation Blog - ESPN

[PlaygroundLegend]

Only WR worth it out there for us is Moss... and don't be surprised if we scoop him up, Randy mentioned Cleveland as a possibility himself

[Brown Warrior]

No Martin Parker? What the hell? Someone else had him #1 of the UDFAs. Yeah... I'm actually excited about UDFAs.

http://www.mockingthedraft.com/2011/...igning-july-23

PGL... there are SO many WRs out there, it may be the best position in f/a. Which Moss are you talking about? Randy may be a Jet, Holmes may go to Washington, I keep hearing Santana Moss to the Bears. I'd love Holmes and kinda dig Moss for the slot for a couple years, but I don't see it happening. Randy Moss has lost several steps, say most.

Lance Moore, Sidney Rice, VJ (franchised), Malcolm Floyd, James Jones, Steve Breaston, Steve Smith, both Mosses... it's a helluva class.

[Bandaid]

Randy Moss?!?! THE same Randy Moss who quit while at Oakland,went to New England,had a couple of good years, opened his fat mouth and was traded away to Minnesota, who then opened his fat mouth once again and was released and did absolutely nothing for Tennessee!!

The same Randy Moss who takes every other play off,doesn't give a shit, and has a head that is so screwed up he looks out through his earhole most of time !! Hell yeah!! That's JUST who the Browns need!!

[Flugel]

Originally Posted by Bandaid

Randy Moss?!?! THE same Randy Moss who quit while at Oakland,went to New England,had a couple of good years, opened his fat mouth and was traded away to Minnesota, who then opened his fat mouth once again and was released and did absolutely nothing for Tennessee!!

The same Randy Moss who takes every other play off,doesn't give a shit, and has a head that is so screwed up he looks out through his earhole most of time !! Hell yeah!! That's JUST who the Browns need!!

Well said Bandaid! Randy Moss is clearly not the same ambitious 23 year old that set out to prove the first 20 teams wrong for overlooking him. He's a 34 year old that lost 3 steps and disappointed 3 NFL franchises for overpaying him in 2010. This is eggs-actly what we can't afford to do any more in free agency. The time to add the Ted Washington, Willie McGinest and Randy Moss types aren't when they're 35 and satisfied they already had nice careers behind them.

The subject heading looks like a really refreshing topic. What are we looking at in terms of when we will be signing our draftees to contracts? When the Browns will be getting that new playbook on both sides of the ball installed and implemented? Will we finally get a Right Tackle in the right part of his career via free agency? I still feel Hallmark and Cupid about that Eric Weddle idea others introduced. Alo's Quincy Black suggestion at LBer could really be a right guy at the right time of his career to be an impact where one is greatly needed.

[OconRecon]

As the famous quote goes:

"No Moss"
- Roberto Duran

[Brown Warrior]

You know, I was actually talking to my son about this: The Browns and their fat wallet are pretty much compelled to overpay 3-4 high-end free agents. You can't make up 50 mill on Hillis and Thomas unless you give them one-year deals for 25 mill. That's a joke, BTW.

I expect four starter types at a minimum. That cap floor is every year, not just this one... so you can't load it up.

[Alo]

Originally Posted by Brown Warrior

No Martin Parker? What the hell? Someone else had him #1 of the UDFAs.

Parker's a small schooler who impressed more at the E/W Shrine practices than he did on tape. Because of that, he isn't going to be a top guy on everyone's lists, and he'll be rated higher by folks who got a chance to watch him up close in Orlando. Both scouts and draftniks were raving about him there: his quicks really stood out.

[Flugel]

Originally Posted by Brown Warrior

You know, I was actually talking to my son about this: The Browns and their fat wallet are pretty much compelled to overpay 3-4 high-end free agents. You can't make up 50 mill on Hillis and Thomas unless you give them one-year deals for 25 mill. That's a joke, BTW.

I expect four starter types at a minimum. That cap floor is every year, not just this one... so you can't load it up.

Well said. Ya know - I don't think we've ever come close salary cap limits. What'll be interesting is if the new CBA legislates we have to spend a certain amount, we're gonna be active.

I've never been one to look at a FA like Steinbach and say - we're overpaying him. Maybe that's because I already witnessed an absurd salary commitment to Shaffer and Andruzzi to protect the blindside like Saddam Hussein's 65 year old security guards against the US Troops. Bigger picture, he was just a Pro Bowl alternate after being an underrated but calming influence on 2 young Pro Bowl lineman like Joe Thomas and Alex Smith during their rookie seasons. Steinbach has NEVER been a mauler; but he's been a carfty vet with countless veteran tricks up his sleeve. He hustles and displays work ethic that jumps out at you on film/replays when he's either pulling and just getting downfield to land more blocks. THIS KIND of veteran is invaluable to the younger players as opposed to the Shaun Smith types.

What's been scary in the past when we didn't have huge draft volumes and/or good picks within them - is we'd commit a HUGE sum of money to FAs. I was soooo excited about LeCharles Bentlley that I talked my dad and cousin into going to the first day of training cam in Berea. We came in to see the evening practice only to learn Bentley was done for the year via the non-contact freak accident in the morning. The ripple effect was we auditioned another 5 or 6 guys before deciding we needed to look to the Hank Fraley that Philly had upgraded a couple seasons before. While he turned out to be a pleasant surprise and good influence on the young guys, teams thinking better things understood he needed to be replaced. TODAY, we are drafting MORE players and I think there's more competance behind each decision so we're not relying exclusively on free agency. It's the right kind of blend.

There's actually an impressive volume of younger FAs this year at positions of need like Right Tackle, LBer, and Safety. Lance Moore would be one of the FA WRs I could see Heckert liking. He's a compact kid strong enough to line up on the line of scrimmage with jets to go deep and hips to accelerate east and west. I think he's the next generation of Wayne Chrebet with better speed and agility. Ray Edwards is a popular DE with our discussion group. I wish the DTs were a little stronger to add to our rotation; because we're 1 injury away from huge concern.

[Brown Warrior]

I think we might be set at DT with a top four of Rubin, Taylor, Schaefering, and Robaire. I could be wrong and we bring in a Martin Parker or a lesser known FA (won't be Mebane, he'll want to start), but we'll see.

I'm betting we go pretty big at FS and LDE. We're constantly associated with Mikell and Ray Edwards, so neither would shock me. Mikell is 30 but that's not exactly ancient and he's really good. Sheldon Brown could also play some safety and we pick up a corner to compete with Wright.

On offense, I keep reading the Browns want a third back who brings something different, a darter type, and Pluto says the Browns are more concerned about RT than they let on. I'll bet a case of beer that we sign a WR, although I can't say at what level. We have the money.

Hey, even Grossi today says a lot of (or more likely most) people would think #1 WR would be on our wish list, but he doesn't get that vibe from his contacts in Berea. That's why I wonder about us getting our "safety blanket veteran" in the slot. I could also see Gibson, Gilyard, or Robinson brought in to compete.

[Flugel]

Originally Posted by Brown Warrior

I think we might be set at DT with a top four of Rubin, Taylor, Schaefering, and Robaire. I could be wrong and we bring in a Martin Parker or a lesser known FA (won't be Mebane, he'll want to start), but we'll see.

I'm betting we go pretty big at FS and LDE. We're constantly associated with Mikell and Ray Edwards, so neither would shock me. Mikell is 30 but that's not exactly ancient and he's really good. Sheldon Brown could also play some safety and we pick up a corner to compete with Wright.

On offense, I keep reading the Browns want a third back who brings something different, a darter type, and Pluto says the Browns are more concerned about RT than they let on. I'll bet a case of beer that we sign a WR, although I can't say at what level. We have the money.

Hey, even Grossi today says a lot of (or more likely most) people would think #1 WR would be on our wish list, but he doesn't get that vibe from his contacts in Berea. That's why I wonder about us getting our "safety blanket veteran" in the slot. I could also see Gibson, Gilyard, or Robinson brought in to compete.

You don't need to bet me. I already told you if we add just a slot receiver you get a 6 pack of your favorite beer. I'm actually thinking we have a chance to add Lance Moore and when we see him used the way Philly uses Jackson outside, we'll see he's alot more than a Slot Receiver. I never said we won't try to add 1 WR - I just said Heckert is already comfortable this team has enough guys to play the WCO equivalent of the slot to where that doesn't need to be just 1 name. We already know Cameron isn't here to block anybody just like Evansville Moore isn't. And if the mood prefers our 3rd best WR overall - this player will be the slot. Lance Moore wouldn't be our 3rd best WR IMO even though he might line up in the slot in certain situations. He's too good to put there everytime he's on the field. And this is why I think he'd appeal more to Heckert than some guys with more limitations. I think you're gonna see it all make more sense when you notice Ben Watson and Moore/Cameron on the field at the same time while we put our best wheels on the perimeter.

Anyway, we've covered all that. You don't have to risk a thing betting me while you get your favorite beer if we look to free agency to just line someone up in the slot. Tell you what, you get a case of your favorite beer from me if we sign Sidney Rice to our situation providing I survive the shock. Just dial 9111 right away and your chances of gettign that case improve with how quickly they get to me.

I have commented I like the Maehl kid, which I can't put in the same company as experienced FA veterans that will demand much bigger bucks for the exchange value of immediate playing time. Thanks for the reminder Alo as this is a an edit.