QB market is the QB market. McCown is to Hoyer what beige wallpaper is to greige wallpaper. The big difference between the 2 is Hoyer doesn't know who he is - McCown does.
I know why McCown is here and Hoyer isn't. Hoyer is in his prime and wants an honest shot to see the field, McCown is 35 and really shouldn't be on the field. He knows DeFilippo's system and can help develop a young QB. But, that shouldn't be considered an upgrade in the product on the field. The OC is a QB development specialist, so is O'Connell, Lewis and McCown or mentor types as well. They are hoping zero competition and an overkill of mentors will develop a young QB. I think the plan lacks diversification.
Hartline was a great signing and I'd much rather pay him 2/6 than what Maclin got. As we saw last year when the Browns were clicking, unless they're elite, WR's are reliant on the QBs and the play design. And the last time a top tier WR led a team to a Super Bowl will be the first.
You take the Hartline deal 10 times out of 10. I think it would be smart to draft at least one WR this year because it's a deep position in the draft class with some guys who have way more physical gifts than anyone else on the roster.
Pettine wanted Flip last year - he was force-fed Shanny. It was good, until it wasn't. I honestly think Flip is going to surprise a lot of people this year.
I have no issue with Flip. I wanted him over the retreads after Shanny left. None of that changes the fact that Shanny immediately became the best OC available to other franchises and the way this all went down sent a terrible message throughout the league. Norv, Shanny, then a young guy. It's not a good sign, especially with those other OC still crushing it elsewhere.
Yes, we need another WR. I addressed this in an earlier post but the trio of Hawk/Hartline/Gabriel as slots-possession guys is as good of a trio as their is in the NFL. Need a go to guy for sure, and unless it's Kevin White they should wait until round 2-3 to get one.
Outside of White, I think Funchees has all-world potential. Justin Hardy from ECU and Nelson Agholar from USC are 2 names to keep an eye on (been hearing Hardy's name for a bit now)
Funchess showed he is a Mushin Mohammad type, creates mismatches but doesn't have certain things to be elite. I'm wary of Hardy only because he is so similar to Hawkins and Gabriel. Agholar is a smooth player, not a freak receiver prospect and not terribly physical but doesn't have weakness. Other years he would be a late first round prospect.
Pass catching TE's are being phased out. They're great to have, but they're aren't many teams that incorporate dual TE threats. There are a ton of joker TE's - there's a reason for this.
Flip utilizes an H back who is a little more like Tom Rathman from the 49ers glory years. The guy will be a big part of the game plan and that's why they are going all in on Clay, who has those skills. Cameron wasn't the best fit because he shies away from blocking.
As for Fairley, not going after a DT and re-signing one of their own, I have to think, is by design. One, Hughes is a very good 2 down lineman and is homegrown. Two, they're going to draft a DT in round 1 or 2. Taylor, Hughes, Draft Pick is a pretty solid rotation. Add Fairley to that mix and you're using cap room on a room on a rotational DT who happens to be a malcontent. The Lions just lost Suh - you'd think they'd want to retain Fairley but they didn't even put up a fight.
Loved keeping Hughes, I was just shocked by the sticker price. He hasn't been a starter and had an injury year. Add to that, it's not like the Browns have a reputation as a run stopping team. Good player, just surprised by his salary.
League isn't passing them by. They're being calculative with their spending habits and banking on grooming their own talent to re-sign. This is what smart teams do. Conversely,they're stuck in the mud because they don't have a QB and they have an owner who's a lunatic.
Manziel just spent the past six weeks saying the Serenity Prayer. That is great training for dealing with the Browns.
Not sure if calling him wrong or just copying my new schtick.
TL; DR