The Running Game

[Shep]

Okay, we might have one thing starting to go right: The running game.

I read Pluto this morning say Hillis has been Denver's version of Harrison, the guy the fans wanted to see more of. It does seem like the Browns are looking at getting him some carries, making him our Toby Gerhart. With Harrison, Hillis, and Vickers, there seem to be some interesting combinations to play with.

We've added Pashos and the OBR says OL is STILL a big priority in the draft, so I expect to see a serious guard prospect in round 3, which is pretty serious for a guard. The Browns look ready to pound the ball for a year, even if nobody is winning that away.

It seems obvious the Browns will need a safety, a corner, and an OLB (now) on defense; and a guard, a fast WR, and a developmental quarterback flier on offense.

That's six picks by the top of round four... and the last one isn't likely to be an early contributor.

We have to do a little more in free agency.

[Enigmatic Evil]

Agreed 100% Shep. I think you've hit all the major needs for our team on both sides of the ball.

I would like to see us play a more smashmouth style of football considering how inconsistent our passing attack was last season, and the fact that we haven't done much to improve it as we have to give stability to our offense.

My only real concern is addressing all of our needs by the time pre-season rolls around. I get the feeling we may have more rookie/second year starters than we'd prefer to have but maybe that'll be the best way for some of these younger players to get experience. Head first, learning on the field. I'll be happy if we can get 5-6 wins with that kind of team on the field.

[DawgBiscuits]

I really like what I've seen from Hillis when he was I Denver. Forget FB, the guy can be a great power HB and has some speed. Great compliment to Harrison. I say forget about trading up for Bradford, our need on defense is way greater. I like the idea of getting LeFevour in the third rd, or maybe trading back up into the second to get him if needed... also, am I the only one who really likes John Skelton as a sleeper QB in the fourth rd or so?

[DaBrowns41]

Originally Posted by DawgBiscuits

I really like what I've seen from Hillis when he was I Denver. Forget FB, the guy can be a great power HB and has some speed. Great compliment to Harrison. I say forget about trading up for Bradford, our need on defense is way greater. I like the idea of getting LeFevour in the third rd, or maybe trading back up into the second to get him if needed... also, am I the only one who really likes John Skelton as a sleeper QB in the fourth rd or so?

I like Skelton, but he probably isn't an ideal fit if we do go WCO. His arm isn't as accurate as we'd like, often taking chances down the field, and struggling with passes over the middle.

I would take a flier on him in a later round though, just as a project.

[Flugel]

Originally Posted by Shep

Okay, we might have one thing starting to go right: The running game.

I read Pluto this morning say Hillis has been Denver's version of Harrison, the guy the fans wanted to see more of. It does seem like the Browns are looking at getting him some carries, making him our Toby Gerhart. With Harrison, Hillis, and Vickers, there seem to be some interesting combinations to play with.

We've added Pashos and the OBR says OL is STILL a big priority in the draft, so I expect to see a serious guard prospect in round 3, which is pretty serious for a guard. The Browns look ready to pound the ball for a year, even if nobody is winning that away.

It seems obvious the Browns will need a safety, a corner, and an OLB (now) on defense; and a guard, a fast WR, and a developmental quarterback flier on offense.

That's six picks by the top of round four... and the last one isn't likely to be an early contributor.

We have to do a little more in free agency.

Just out of curiosity, who are all these free agent studs you think we're missing out on? Any names we can discuss?

Maybe it wouldn't hurt us to see if Kevin Curtis has any juice in his legs left since Heckert helped Philly upgrade that position considerably in recent years. Our WR position needs more experience every bit as much as we could use some more speed there. Lav Coles USED to run 4.3s many moons ago but Cincy didn't seem thrilled with the cake they dished out for him as they already said good bye. That's what teams run into with WRs in free agency. TO is still available but what did he do last year as far as getting the Buffalo offense to the next level? Dallas overpaid the crap out of Roy Williams when they already had a superstar in Miles Austin ready to emerge. Remember what I told you about premature conclusions on young WRs in this league? You would have CUT that kid because he wasn't a superstar out of the shoot as a wide eyed rookie. Do you know who is built just like him? Robiskie. We just need a Romo to introduce us to our group of Receivers better.

We have 12 picks Shep so I LIKE your thinking about where we can shore up the OG spot and there's some studs projected as late as round 7 for that position so we can address both lines within our 12 picks. There's 2 directions we can go with round 1: one of them is whoever is available between Eric berry and Joe Haden which I like a ton. The other is QB.

Alot of mocks don't have St Louis picking Bradford and maybe they are PRETENDING to be interested in him because they could SWING a blockbuster deal for an All Pro DT named Shaun Rogers, sweeten it up with D'Qwell Jackson and a couple more late draft picks; and then take Jimmy Clausen at #7 overall as the 1st round QB they need. Now they solve 3 needs with 1 pick plus they added a couple late round selections. If Jimmy Clausen is as good as you think he is - this should be an easy sell right? And for those thinking we would be giving up too much - we won more games without Rogers and Jackson than we won with them. We need a QB to make our passing game legit and put us on the map as ready to compete for better things.
- Tom F.

[slowmo411]

Flugal Id be all for trading Rodgers ( hes only got another year or two being dominant) and Dqwell if someone made us a great deal. Moving up to the #1 spot is never a good thing, WAY too much money involved and you usually get the bad end of the deal. If we could package both those guys and get another 1st like a top 20 Id be very happy with that.
Cleveland is rebuilding again and they seem to be finally doing it the right way ( last year and so far this year). Im all for building the team and grabbing a top pick QB next year (we'll probly be picking high again) with a rookie salary cap its not nearly as big of a risk ( i expect there to be a cap next year)
I dont care for all the late round picks 5-7 Id love to package those up and get more picks in 1-4 if thats even possible. We need talent all over the place, you generally find the most talent in the higher rounds so that where i want to be

[Shep]

Tom, I meant we have five starter slots to fill and five picks in the first three rounds, and we also need to draft a quarterback with at least reasonable expectations of future success. We're going to need to do some digging with RFAs, trades, or something. Keep in mind how little the Ravens paid for Boldin, for instance.

We lost Pool and Wimbley and already needed a starting corner, so that's three starters on defense. We absolutely need to upgrade at WR, we need an interior lineman to back up at center and compete with Womack at RG... and we need a quarterback.

I think we can address five of these needs in the first three rounds... although it's obviously shaky to be drafting starters in round three. So we have some work to do between now and late April.

We've been discussing Gocong and Sims a lot, so those are a couple possibilities. I think Richard Marshall is still worth considering.

OBR says the Browns want SPEED at WR... so those are the guys I'd be looking at.

[DawgFan]

Originally Posted by Shep

We've been discussing Gocong and Sims a lot, so those are a couple possibilities. I think Richard Marshall is still worth considering.
.

fyi

Browns | No strong interest in Sims
Sun, 21 Mar 2010 14:34:59 -0700
Tony Grossi, of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, reports the Cleveland Browns do not have a strong interest in restricted free-agent OG Rob Sims (Seahawks).
Browns | No interest in S. Andrews
Sun, 21 Mar 2010 14:34:48 -0700
Tony Grossi, of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, reports the Cleveland Browns do not have interest in free-agent OT Shawn Andrews (Eagles).

Read more: KFFL - Cleveland Browns News and Notes

I guess that knocks two guys out of the running on OL.

[Shep]

Yeah, I saw that earlier. I'm a touch surprised on Sims, except that I've read that the Browns are making OL a draft priority and we've already signed Pashos.

[Sez.EJ]

Harrison starts. Hillis is the primary short yardage guy. Jennings seems like a journeyman backup, James Davis is a mystery since we have seen so very little. I am not sure how Vickers fits into the mix but he has improved every hear and has been REALLY good a as a lead blocker. Hillis fits the Holmgren FB more than vickers since he has great hands and tailback ability. Not real sure how Hillis is as a lead blocker though. With Vickers that is already 5 rb's.. If we DRAFT a RB that's 6.. SURELY we do not keep 6 RB's.. that tells me Vickers or Jennings, Davis or the rookie (if it's a 5th or 6th rounder) are the odd man out.. I am guessing we keep 5... I think this unit will not be AMAZING.. but will be effective and help the QB.. Move the chains.. I am still hoping DAVIS turns out to be our sleeper and future stud guy.. but we'll have to see. .. I am happy right now (even if we don't draft a RB with a better level of competition in the backfield.. Davis will have a year in the weight room.. should be healthy.. knows his way around the pro game a little more.. has more confidence etc... This will not be a weakness.. as a unit this year.. I think I can comfortably say that..