Browns 2021 Off-Season Thread

[OptimusPrime]

I think Gustin is a free agent. And I have zero interest in bringing him back. Same with Ogunjobi unless he's coming really cheap. Really their only free agents I would even want back, as long as they're also really cheap, are Mitchell and Higgins. The rest I could take or leave. On defense, they need 2 starting linebackers, a starting corner, a starting end and tackle. At a minimum. None of the guys leaving help with any of those.

 

[AZ_]

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.

Imagine watching this teams transformation between 2019 and now, then being so steadfast in your “take” that future years are predictive.

Perhaps we go back and take a look at some of your 2019 takes about the future of this organization, are you comfortable with how those takes turned out?

No, of course not.

So perhaps we shelve the obviously disingenuous takes in which you fruitlessly ignore any progression, roster turnover and literal millions of outside factors that go into predicting 2021 and beyond?


For the sake of all our brain cells.

 

[Vee-Rex]

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.

I like your approach, though I think there are a couple of AFC teams that can make some noise next year (Jaguars and Chargers). Jaguars kind of remind me of the 2018 Browns with how much cap space, draft picks, and young talent they have.

I'd love for the Steelers to fall off a cliff.

 

[Out of the Rafters at the Q]

I like your approach, though I think there are a couple of AFC teams that can make some noise next year (Jaguars and Chargers). Jaguars kind of remind me of the 2018 Browns with how much cap space, draft picks, and young talent they have.

I'd love for the Steelers to fall off a cliff.

Uh... the Jaguars? Next year? I think that's a little premature.

The Chargers, absolutely. The Colts should be up there as well.

Also, with Deshaun wanting out... if I'm Pittsburgh, I just give Houston everything for him.

 

[Vee-Rex]

Uh... the Jaguars? Next year? I think that's a little premature.

The Chargers, absolutely. The Colts should be up there as well.

Also, with Deshaun wanting out... if I'm Pittsburgh, I just give Houston everything for him.

By "make some noise", I mean they could potentially be contending for a playoff spot.

But yes, they have young talent, draft picks, and cap space. They're gonna have Lawrence and if invest into their o-line and d-line, they can be a good team.

If anyone here thinks that only the Chiefs or Bills are going to be a threat to us next year then you need to wake up. That's not how the NFL works.

 

[Out of the Rafters at the Q]

By "make some noise", I mean they could potentially be contending for a playoff spot.

But yes, they have young talent, draft picks, and cap space. They're gonna have Lawrence and if invest into their o-line and d-line, they can be a good team.

If anyone here thinks that only the Chiefs or Bills are going to be a threat to us next year then you need to wake up. That's not how the NFL works.

I think Jacksonville is still closer to a 5-11 team than a contender.

I don't think anyone is claiming the hyperbole you make here.

 

[Vee-Rex]

I think Jacksonville is still closer to a 5-11 team than a contender.

I don't think anyone is claiming the hyperbole you make here.

I think they've got a solid foundation and certainly the assets to make a massive turnaround, similar to how Miami did from 2019 to 2020.

Fair enough - my only point (the person I was quoting) was meant to say that how things look now doesn't mean they can't look vastly different next year. Good enough?

 

[Out of the Rafters at the Q]

I think they've got a solid foundation and certainly the assets to make a massive turnaround, similar to how Miami did from 2019 to 2020.

Fair enough - my only point (the person I was quoting) was meant to say that how things look now doesn't mean they can't look vastly different next year. Good enough?

I think we have ships passing in the night.

@Cassity14 was talking about "What AFC teams would I definitively feel better about being a fan of heading into this offseason than the Browns?"

You're talking about "What AFC teams could possibly challenge the Browns next year?"

Those aren't the same question. Jaguars fans certainly don't definitively feel better about next year than Browns fans... and if they do, they should get their heads examined

I still think Jacksonville is really far away from being competitive, but we'll see if I'm proven wrong there. I like their receiving corps. I just think their defense is an atrocity. They're a team that, year one, should resemble the Bengals--just without Joe Mixon, and with a better offensive line.

 

[Vee-Rex]

I think we have ships passing in the night.

@Cassity14 was talking about "What AFC teams would I definitively feel better about being a fan of heading into this offseason than the Browns?"

You're talking about "What AFC teams could possibly challenge the Browns next year?"

Those aren't the same question. Jaguars fans certainly don't definitively feel better about next year than Browns fans... and if they do, they should get their heads examined

I still think Jacksonville is really far away from being competitive, but we'll see if I'm proven wrong there. I like their receiving corps. I just think their defense is an atrocity. They're a team that, year one, should resemble the Bengals--just without Joe Mixon, and with a better offensive line.

I see, my mistake.

I still think the Jags can be better than how you're seeing them. They were clearly tanking. The o-line being better than Cincinnati's is enough to not even make the comparison. Getting rid of Doug Marrone was a good move. Nice receivers, nice RB in James Robinson (Joe Mixon is overrated), defensive talent in Myles Jack, Josh Allen, Abry Jones looks decent, 73 million in cap space, 2 1st rounders, 2 second rounders, 11 total draft picks.

That's ripe for a quick turnaround and potential playoff contention (likely won't require an 11-5 record to make the playoffs with 7 seeds again - that was an anomaly) especially if Lawrence looks decent his rookie year.

 

[Cement]

The wildcard in this is the Deshun Watson situation - if a team like Miami or Pittsburgh gets their hands on him, they immediately become SB contenders...maybe favorites.

 

[Out of the Rafters at the Q]

I see, my mistake.

I still think the Jags can be better than how you're seeing them. They were clearly tanking. The o-line being better than Cincinnati's is enough to not even make the comparison. Getting rid of Doug Marrone was a good move. Nice receivers, nice RB in James Robinson (Joe Mixon is overrated), defensive talent in Myles Jack, Josh Allen, Abry Jones looks decent, 73 million in cap space, 2 1st rounders, 2 second rounders, 11 total draft picks.

That's ripe for a quick turnaround and potential playoff contention (likely won't require an 11-5 record to make the playoffs with 7 seeds again - that was an anomaly) especially if Lawrence looks decent his rookie year.

James Robinson and Joe Mixon aren't even in the same universe.

James Robinson is much closer to guys like Chris Carson and James Conner than he is Mixon. He's a nice story, but he's just a guy. Mixon is absolutely an elite talent at the position.

The offensive line is worthy of being a difference maker, and you can definitely sell me that Chark, Shenault, Westbrook are better than Green, Boyd, Higgins. You can also sell me on the Jaguars playing in a worse division than the Bengals, so their record should/could be better.

I still don't see them as a threat to the Browns as currently composed in 2021.

I do think they have a promising future.

 

[col63onel]

The wildcard in this is the Deshun Watson situation - if a team like Miami or Pittsburgh gets their hands on him, they immediately become SB contenders...maybe favorites.

Agree

Teams that should feel good next year are Bill, Ravens, Browns, Titans, Chiefs and whatever team Watson is on

 

[Out of the Rafters at the Q]

Agree

Teams that should feel good next year are Bill, Ravens, Browns, Titans, Chiefs and whatever team Watson is on

I think the Titans just had their window close on them.

Henry isn't getting younger. That defense is awful. They aren't in an unusually good position in terms of cap space or draft picks.

 

[col63onel]

I think the Titans just had their window close on them.

Henry isn't getting younger. That defense is awful. They aren't in an unusually good position in terms of cap space or draft picks.

Henry’s also not old and they have an efficient qb, a solid line and good receivers.

Unless Tannehill turns back into a pumpkin, they’re a threat

 

[Cement]

Agree

Teams that should feel good next year are Bill, Ravens, Browns, Titans, Chiefs and whatever team Watson is on

Well...not Houston if Watson is still there.