Browns 2021 Off-Season Thread

[Mr. Orange]

Honestly you’re all giving him exactly what he wants. He’s a clear cut troll getting all his nutrients from the spotlight put on him

The Ravens being 1 of the 5 best teams should be a dead giveaway if Michael Jordan wasn’t

Let's try this one more time...

As another poster pointed out (not me), the Browns had the worst Defense in the playoffs, if not in the entire NFL. We have a really powerful offense, but have to fix the defense. I am sure Berry and DePodesta are having the same conversations. We look to be building a strong contender and we had a very good season. DE, LB that can cover, and more DB depth is the priority. Bring back OBJ as the deep threat. Re-sign Higgins. Should be 10-11 wins, but who knows.

The NFL is hard to win in. There are other good teams that will be signing free agents and drafting good players. We are in the mix, but that was a missed opportunity yesterday. The end.

 

[WorldFreeB]

Offensively I don't think they need *that* much.

QB: Good for 2021
RB: Good for 2021
FB: Good for 2021

WR: Resigning Higgins is a big priority to me. Something like 3/18 with 9.5 guaranteed would work nicely. They need to add more vertical speed to this group even if OBJ returns. They should have plenty of options both in the draft and free agency.

TE: I know they like Bryant, but I really thought Njoku was better. I would at the very least bring David back for 2021 since they picked up his 5th year option already. If they do move on via trade, then I could see them using another draft pick on another TE.

OL: I don't think the depth is nearly as bad as some others do. They have 5 extremely capable starters and what appears to be four capable backups plus some intriguing developmental guys. They just had an unfortunate rash of injuries within this group at the same time that you just don't normally see. If Hubbard isn't capable of returning, they could use a swing tackle, but that's not something I would to address with a draft pick IMO. Let Callahan keep developing guys like Harris, Hance, Dunn, Taylor and Forbes.

K and P: I would explore upgrading both spots, but not with draft picks. Parkey has no real range and Gillan, while popular, oddly regressed from a great rookie year (you wonder if he was dealing with an injury?)

Defensively they need a ton. If Grant Delpit, Greedy Williams and Curtis Weaver all are able to return from their major injuries, the Browns *still* need at least 12 new bodies on this side of the ball.

DE: Garrett is an entrenched starter. Clayborn should be back, but he's a 15 snap per game rotation guy, not a starter. Gustin makes peanuts, so he should at least be brought to camp. Hopefully Weaver (a PFF darling) can earn a spot. The Browns need to add at least two players capable of playing heavy snaps to this group.

DT: Richardson is an entrenched starter for one more year. Elliott has decent potential and should be a rotation guy. Hopefully Billings is able to return and step in as a starter opposite Richardson. I would let Ogunjobi walk in free agency. The Browns need to add at least one player capable of playing heavy snaps to this group.

LB: Takitaki and Phillips are both signed for cheap and should return. Wilson should be let go. I can't imagine Smith will find the fountain of youth for the second year in a row, so I'd let him go. Keep Goodson if he's willing to return on another cheap 1 year deal, otherwise let him walk. I think the Browns need three new players here, with at least one of them and possibly two of them able to play heavy snaps as needed.

CB: Ward is an entrenched starter. You hope Greedy can earn a spot, but you're not relying on him for any reason. I would like to retain Mitchell as a free agent on a short deal. T. Thomas should return as a special teams ace. K. Johnson, R. Jackson and Stewart all should be let go. The Browns need to add three new players here, with two of them able to play heavy snaps as needed.

S: Harrison is an entrenched starter. You hope Delpit can earn a spot. Joseph, Sendejo and Redwine should all be let go. The Browns need to add three new players here, with at least one of them able to play heavy snaps as needed.

Yes excellent write-up but sobering as well...we need a lot of help on the defensive side of the ball.
Good thing is the offense is basically set,,you can find veteran oline depth in free agency. Like people have
commented before a lot of teams are over the cap or near it and will have to make tough decisions.
There could be some good depth floating around for reasonable contracts.

 

[MD13]

I get Delpit was supposed to be our back end centerpiece and those plans were horribly upended, and I get that we just don't have enough speed and playmaking ability in the back 7. That said, all of the hallmarks of good coaching that we saw all season through our offense was completely absent from our defense. Not only were we bad, but how many times would you see players confused at the snap? How many times did we see a blown zone in cover 3 for a big gain, usually on a seam route up the middle? How many times were we absolutely victimized by QB scrambles for huge gains on 3rd and 4th down? If it's just one player, then that's on him, but the whole team was guilty of this.

Joe Woods needs to do a lot of self-evaluating if he wants to improve from this.

 

[col63onel]

Offensively I don't think they need *that* much.

QB: Good for 2021
RB: Good for 2021
FB: Good for 2021

WR: Resigning Higgins is a big priority to me. Something like 3/18 with 9.5 guaranteed would work nicely. They need to add more vertical speed to this group even if OBJ returns. They should have plenty of options both in the draft and free agency.

TE: I know they like Bryant, but I really thought Njoku was better. I would at the very least bring David back for 2021 since they picked up his 5th year option already. If they do move on via trade, then I could see them using another draft pick on another TE.

OL: I don't think the depth is nearly as bad as some others do. They have 5 extremely capable starters and what appears to be four capable backups plus some intriguing developmental guys. They just had an unfortunate rash of injuries within this group at the same time that you just don't normally see. If Hubbard isn't capable of returning, they could use a swing tackle, but that's not something I would to address with a draft pick IMO. Let Callahan keep developing guys like Harris, Hance, Dunn, Taylor and Forbes.

K and P: I would explore upgrading both spots, but not with draft picks. Parkey has no real range and Gillan, while popular, oddly regressed from a great rookie year (you wonder if he was dealing with an injury?)

Defensively they need a ton. If Grant Delpit, Greedy Williams and Curtis Weaver all are able to return from their major injuries, the Browns *still* need at least 12 new bodies on this side of the ball.

DE: Garrett is an entrenched starter. Clayborn should be back, but he's a 15 snap per game rotation guy, not a starter. Gustin makes peanuts, so he should at least be brought to camp. Hopefully Weaver (a PFF darling) can earn a spot. The Browns need to add at least two players capable of playing heavy snaps to this group.

DT: Richardson is an entrenched starter for one more year. Elliott has decent potential and should be a rotation guy. Hopefully Billings is able to return and step in as a starter opposite Richardson. I would let Ogunjobi walk in free agency. The Browns need to add at least one player capable of playing heavy snaps to this group.

LB: Takitaki and Phillips are both signed for cheap and should return. Wilson should be let go. I can't imagine Smith will find the fountain of youth for the second year in a row, so I'd let him go. Keep Goodson if he's willing to return on another cheap 1 year deal, otherwise let him walk. I think the Browns need three new players here, with at least one of them and possibly two of them able to play heavy snaps as needed.

CB: Ward is an entrenched starter. You hope Greedy can earn a spot, but you're not relying on him for any reason. I would like to retain Mitchell as a free agent on a short deal. T. Thomas should return as a special teams ace. K. Johnson, R. Jackson and Stewart all should be let go. The Browns need to add three new players here, with two of them able to play heavy snaps as needed.

S: Harrison is an entrenched starter. You hope Delpit can earn a spot. Joseph, Sendejo and Redwine should all be let go. The Browns need to add three new players here, with at least one of them able to play heavy snaps as needed.

Larry O vs Richardson is the most interesting question, IMO

 

[Huber.]

If a team is willing to trade for OBJ would his cap hit transfer?

 

[Vee-Rex]

Larry O vs Richardson is the most interesting question, IMO

I know Larry O is a fan favorite but I'm dropping him quickly. He has been a pretty major letdown so far, IMO.

Let's see what Jordan Elliot, Andrew Billings, and [insert offseason acquisitions] can provide for us at those spots.

 

[CBBI]

QB (2): Mayfield, Keenum
RB (3): Chubb, Hunt, Johnson
FB (1): Janovich
TE (4): Hooper, Njoku, Bryant, Carlson
WR (5): Beckham, Landry, Higgins, Peoples-Jones, New Guy
OL (9): Wills, Bitonio, Tretter, Teller, Conklin, Hubbard (if healthy, if not Taylor or New Guy), Dunn, Harris, one of Hance/Forbes

K (1): New guy
P (1): New guy
LS (1): Hughlett

DE (5): Garrett, Clayborn, New Guy, New Guy, one of Gustin/Weaver
DT (5): Richardson, Billings, Elliott, New Guy, New Guy
LB (6): Goodson, Phillips, Takitaki, New Guy, New Guy, New Guy
CB (6): Ward, Mitchell, Greedy (if healthy, if not New Guy), New Guy, New Guy, Thomas
S (4): Harrison, Delpit, New Guy, New Guy

 

[col63onel]

I know Larry O is a fan favorite but I'm dropping him quickly. He has been a pretty major letdown so far, IMO.

Let's see what Jordan Elliot, Andrew Billings, and [insert offseason acquisitions] can provide for us at those spots.

Part of it depends on what Ogubjobi will command on the open market. He’s way younger than Richardson. If he costs less, then I can but the argument that he’s worth a contract more than Richardson.

OTOH, even though they are both DTs, they are different. Billings can give you some of what Larry did, but you can’t play Billings and Larry together unless it’s at the goaline. Plus, letting Larry walk this year and Richardson next might get us some comp picks.

Like I said, it’s an interesting question and I’m sure what my preference is right now.

 

[Surge]

QB (2): Mayfield, Keenum
RB (3): Chubb, Hunt, Johnson
FB (1): Janovich
TE (4): Hooper, Njoku, Bryant, Carlson
WR (5): Beckham, Landry, Higgins, Peoples-Jones, New Guy
OL (9): Wills, Bitonio, Tretter, Teller, Conklin, Hubbard (if healthy, if not Taylor or New Guy), Dunn, Harris, one of Hance/Forbes

K (1): New guy
P (1): New guy
LS (1): Hughlett

DE (5): Garrett, Clayborn, New Guy, New Guy, one of Gustin/Weaver
DT (5): Richardson, Billings, Elliott, New Guy, New Guy
LB (6): Goodson, Phillips, Takitaki, New Guy, New Guy, New Guy
CB (6): Ward, Mitchell, Greedy (if healthy, if not New Guy), New Guy, New Guy, Thomas
S (4): Harrison, Delpit, New Guy, New Guy

You don't see WR Hodge on the team next year? They seemed to really like him. He was #3 to start the season.

 

[col63onel]

If a team is willing to trade for OBJ would his cap hit transfer?

If I read it correctly, we'd be on the hook for his roster bonus (unless we trade him before March 20th) and workout bonus, which is 1.25mil.

His 14.5mil base salary is fully guaranteed, but paid by whoever he plays for. So whoever is trading him, must pay him 14.5 mil, regardless of how much he plays.

He can be cut after the 21 season for no dead cap.

 

[Cassity14]

I’m sitting here asking myself, attempting to be objective, “What AFC teams would I definitively feel better about being a fan of heading into this offseason than the Browns?

Right now I’ve got KC and probably the Bills. Both have loaded rosters, great coaching, and a FQB (Allen at least seems to be so far, and I can’t in good faith argue Baker is one if Allen isn’t). Also, each of those respective divisions clearly runs through their city now and in the immediate future.

If I were a Ravens fan, I’d be legitimately concerned that Lamar can’t seem to elevate high enough in big games, is never going to be a Super Bowl passer, and that the offense is too dependent on him. This is a push.

Steelers fan? I’m calling this the end of an era. Even best case scenario, they’re losing impact players and have no answer at QB. Cap situation is poor. Nail everything organizationally, and they’re back to contending in 3 years. No chance I’d trade with them.

Titans fan? I’m worried this is the ceiling. Maybe a push, but I genuinely think the Browns have the edge. Maybe that’s the coaching.

Colts? I feel bad for these guys, and have a good buddy who is a Colts fan. Last year and this year were supposed to be peak contention before Luck bailed. How long can you try to patchwerk over the hill journeymen QBs to get over the hump? I wouldn’t feel very long. I’d rather be rooting for the Browns going forward.

Again, I’m trying to objectively think about this. I am very interested to hear how others feel.

 

[CBBI]

You don't see WR Hodge on the team next year? They seemed to really like him. He was #3 to start the season.

He was. But I think the incoming coaching staff really didn't know what they had in Higgins until Beckham got hurt and Higgins was really able to show his twin brain chemistry with Mayfield.

There's only so many spots. Hodge is pretty clearly the 5th best WR when everyone is healthy and the Browns also need to add another guy who can consistently attack the field vertically.

If they opt to keep six, or if they move Beckham, then Hodge's chances would go way up, but I think they'll keep 5 with Hodge being the odd man out.

 

[shoes22]

Like Rich mentioned yesterday, this isn’t the NBA.

Teams that are better “on paper”, can and do lose. As long as your team is good enough to make the playoffs, you have a shot to win at all.

 

[The Wizard of Moz]

Holy fuck something that has bothered me for a while but even more so these last round of interviews

Mary Kay’s questions are always longer than the answers. She just fucking rambles on and on and on basically presenting hypothetical answers to the questions. Honestly most of our media struggles to just ask clear and concise questions without rambling about weird asides, but she is definitely the ring leader.

 

[shoes22]

Holy fuck something that has bothered me for a while but even more so these last round of interviews

Mary Kay’s questions are always longer than the answers. She just fucking rambles on and on and on basically presenting hypothetical answers to the questions. Honestly most of our media struggles to just ask clear and concise questions without rambling about weird asides, but she is definitely the ring leader.

It’s pretty obvious by now how Mary Kay writes her articles.

Instead of basing her articles off of new information learned in the press conference, she writes the articles in advance with a pre-written narrative, and just needs quotes to plug in in at certain spots in the article. That’s why she’s incapable of asking a question that isn’t basically a variation of the answer she’s looking to hear.

It’s such hack journalism.