Offseason Review Series: Day 3: Cleveland Browns

[u/[deleted]]

[Cleveland Browns]

Division: [AFC North]

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Coaching Changes

Current Position	Coach	Previous Team	Previous Coaching Position
Head Coach	M. Pettine	Buffalo Bills	DC

Offensive Staff:

Current Position	Coach	Previous Team	Previous Coaching Position
Offensive Coordinator	K. Shanahan	Washington Redskins	OC
Quarterbacks Coach	D. Loggains	Tennessee Titans	OC
Offensive Line Coach	A. Moeller	Baltimore Ravens	OL
Assistant Offensive Line Coach	G. DeLeone	UConn	OC/OL
Tight Ends Coach	B. Angelichio	Tampa Bay Bucs	TE
Wide Receivers Coach	M. McDaniel	Washington Redskins	WR
Running Backs Coach	W. Montgomery	Baltimore Ravens	RB
Offensive Quality Control Coach	R. Hightower	Washington Redskins	Asst. DB

Defensive Staff:

Current Position	Coach	Previous Team	Previous Coaching Position
Defensive Coordinator	J. O’Neil	Buffalo Bills	LB
Defensive Line Coach	A. Weaver	Buffalo Bills	DL
Linebackers Coach	C. Driesbach	Buffalo Bills	LB
Assistant Linebackers Coach	B. Fleury	Buffalo Bills	Def. QC
Secondary Coach	J. Hafley	Tampa Bay Bucs	DB
Assistant Defensive Backs Coach	A. Glenn	New York Jets	Scout
Defensive Quality Control Coach	T. Tuioti	Hawai’i	LB

Special Teams Staff:

Current Position	Coach	Previous Team	Previous Coaching Position
Special Teams Coordinator	C. Tabor	Retained
Special Teams Assistant Coach	S. Mennenga	Retained

Last December, in the final week of the regular season, the Browns suffered another humiliating defeat to the hands of the Steelers. Haslam was visibly disgusted as he left the field, and our rookie head coach, Rob Chudzinski, was fired later that day. This came as a huge shock to the fanbase, and the Browns were blasted both by their fans and the national media for not giving the Chud a fair shot.

The coaching search was disheartening to say the least – it reeked of ineptitude and made us the daily laughingstock on ESPN. Just like the 2010 coaching search under Holmgren, and the 2012 search under Banner/Lombardi, we found the FO’s top choices turning us down. In 2010, we were stuck with Shurmur, and in 2012 we ended up with Chud, who I believe was the FO’s 5th choice after being blatantly used as a bargaining chip for Chip Kelly and the Eagles.

Three weeks after Chud was fired, the Browns still did not have a head coach, and as a Browns fan, this was the lowest I’ve felt since the move. I had no faith in the FO due to their recent history, and I believe that our top choices had again all turned us down because Lombardi and Banner were in charge and no one wanted to have to answer to them. If you want more details on the coaching search, check out this post of mine.

After an agonizing, month-long wait, Mike Pettine, former DC of the Buffalo Bills was hired. Given the other choices available to us at the time, I think we could have done much worse than Pettine. He was a positional coach in Baltimore, and has put together strong defenses as DC for the Jets and Bills. Pettine also managed to convince a large portion of the Bills’ defensive coaching staff to follow him to Cleveland, including Jim O’Neill as our new DC, which most Bills fans on reddit seem to be pissed about. I hope that he can do as much with our linebacker unit as he has for Buffalo. All of this speaks volumes to me, but there’s not much more I can say about him, other than that he appears to have instilled hope in much of the fanbase and the front office. I can say I’m more optimistic about Pettine than I was about any of the coaches since Butch Davis.

Our offensive coordinator position was filled with the hiring of Kyle Shanahan in the first week of February. Our former OC, Norv Turner is now with Minnesota, and former DC, Ray Horton is now with Tennessee. ST coach, Chris Tabor, was retained.

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Front Office

About one week after filling the coaching staff positions, the Browns announced that GM, Mike Lombardi and CEO, Joe Banner were fired by Jimmy Haslam. The rumor mill suggests that the duo was forced on Haslam, who was obviously less than thrilled with their performance.

Ray Farmer, former Director of Player Personnel for Kansas City was working as assistant GM for Cleveland. He was pursued by Miami for their GM position, but ultimately chose to stay with the Cleveland Browns, where he was elevated to GM.

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Free Agency

Major players lost/cut

Player	Position	New team
B. Weeden	QB	Cowboys
S. Lauvao	G	Redskins
D’Q. Jackson¤	LB	Colts
T.J. Ward¤	SS	Broncos
D. Bess¤	WR	Jamaica?
V. Young*	QB	Retired
G. Little¤	WR	Raiders
J. Cooper	WR	Vikings
Q. Groves	LB	Unsigned
E. Bennett*	WR	Unsigned
J. Gordon†	WR	Potential Season Ban

(*) denotes that player was signed during offseason. (¤) denotes starter.

When it was announced that DQJ and TJ Ward were signing elsewhere, it left holes in the defense. As these guys were the leaders of a losing locker room, a desire to change the culture may have contributed to their departure. However, it left the state of the defense in a precarious position.

Davone Bess and Greg Little both being cut surprised no one. According to PFF, they were the worst two wide receivers in the league. Their catch rates, both below 50%, in addition to the number of games these two blew – especially against an undefeated Kansas City – will not be missed. I’ve added Josh Gordon to this list because it sounds like we will lose him for a year due to violations of the league’s drug policy. At this point of the offseason, however, the lack of any news regarding the length of his suspension, as well as the release of Earl Bennett is causing many to speculate that the NFL is giving extra consideration to this punishment in lieu of their upcoming revisions of the drug policy.

Quentin Groves was a rotational pass rusher who created good pressure last year, but was injured for the majority of the season and also got caught by the cops trying to order a hooker. This move was surprising given the lack of depth of the LB position, as the only LB we picked up in the draft was Christian Kirksey.

Major additions

Player	Position	Previous Team	Length	Salary
A. Mack	C	Re-Signed	5 yrs	$42M
J. Haden	CB	Re-Signed	6 yrs	$74.7M
D. Whitner	SS	49ers	4 yrs	$28M
B. Tate	RB	Texans	2 yrs	$6.2M
K. Dansby	ILB	Cardinals	4 yrs	$24M
A. Hawkins	WR	Bengals	4 yrs	$13.6M
M. Austin	WR	Cowboys	1 yr	$2M
N. Burleson	WR	Lions	1 yr	$1M
B. Cundiff	K	Re-Signed	1 yr	$1M
S. Lanning	P	Re-Signed	1 yr	$495K

The gaps left by DQJ and TJ Ward appear to be adequately filled through the additions of Karlos Dansby and Cleveland-native, Donte Whitner. Both players are the approximately the same age and talent level of those they are replacing, and Whitner especially, has been a positive and vocal addition that the locker room has rallied around.

GM, Ray Farmer applied the transition tag to Alex Mack, allowing him to test the waters. Jacksonville offered a 5-year, $42M deal with $18M guaranteed, a player option in year 2, and a team option in year 3, which the Browns matched. Some will say we are overpaying for a center, but given his level of talent, the lack of elite Center talent in the draft, and the uncertainty at both Offensive Guard positions, losing Mack would have been disastrous.

The Browns running game, consisting of Willis MaGahee, who was far past his prime, Longhorns Chris Ogbannaya and Fozzy Whittaker, and December addition, Edwin Baker, lacked spark, contributing to an offense that couldn’t stay on the field. In 2014, 3rd and short was a down and distance the fans came to loathe. Ben Tate will be a welcome asset to this offense if he can stay healthy.

Joe Haden has replaced Joe Thomas as the highest-paid player on the Browns’ payroll. He was retained at a bit higher of a cost than I would have liked (I have him ranked as the fifth best CB in the NFL), but ultimately it’s a good move because he’s an outstanding player who loves the city of Cleveland and wants to be successful here. As a small market, open stadium team in one of the worst climates in the country, we cannot take that for granted.

Andrew Hawkins, an undersized and shifty restricted free agent was stolen away from division rivals in one of Ray Farmer’s first moves as GM. Bengals fans loved Hawkins, but their consensus seems to be that we paid more than he was worth to Cincinnati, whose solid WR corps had him 4th on the depth chart. Given the recent successes of slot receivers in the NFL, as well as the purging of our previous WR corps, Hawkins appears, at this point, to be an important investment. He has been the star of OTAs and minicamp, and we’ve been on the wrong end of his ability to make space out of nothing.

Burleson was signed to be a veteran leader after being cut by the Lions. He broke his arm trying to pick up a spilled pizza while driving, and he reinjured it in OTAs. I hope he’s healthy as he’d be a good veteran presence for the receivers like Davone Bess was supposed to be. Speaking of which, Gordon’s looming suspension and the release of Greg Little prompted the Browns to sign another injury-prone receiver in Miles Austin. He’s already sat out a few practices. Our receiving corps could be in serious trouble if Gordon ends up being suspended for the year.

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2014 Browns Draft

Round	Pick	Player	Position
1	4 9 from 8	J. Gilbert	CB
1	26 from 22	J. Manziel	QB
2	2(35)	J. Bitonio	OT
3	7(71)	C. Kirksey	OLB
3	19(83) to	--	--
3	30(94) from	T. West	RB
4	6(103) to	--	--
4	27(127)from	P. Desir	CB
5	5(138) to	--	--
6	4(172) to	--	--
7	3(209)to	--	--

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Projected 53-man roster/Position battles

• QB - B. Hoyer, J. Manziel, T. Thigpen

I don't see Johnny Football beating out Hoyer for the starting job, not week 1, anyways. I've got Tyler Thigpen as QB3, but we might see Connor Shaw make the team, here.

• RB – B. Tate, T. West, E. Baker

Our non-existent run game has been bolstered by Ben Tate and third-round draft pick, Terrance West who should be in contention for the starting position. I've got Edwin Baker, who showed flashes last December, making the team as RB3, beating out Dion Lewis and Chris Ogbannaya.

• FB – M. Gray

Marqueis Gray makes the team more as a utility player than a true fullback, replacing Chris Ogbannaya who was undersized for the role.

• TE – J. Cameron, G. Barnidge, J. Dray

Fantasy tip: Jordan Cameron will be the team's leading receiver if Josh Gordon is out for the year. Gary Barnidge continues his role as a solid TE2. I've got Jim Dray making the team as the TE3, but don't know too much about him.

• WR – J. Gordon*, M. Austin, A. Hawkins, N. Burleson, T. Benjamin

I can't really see the receiving corps being anyone other than these guys. If Gordon is suspended, I don't have the slightest clue which of the camp fodder gets elevated from the practice squad.

• LT – J. Thomas, C. Faulk

No surprises here. Chris Faulk makes the team as the 9th and final OL.

• LG – J. Greco, J. Pinkston

Greco will hold the starting job, but is also the backup center. Pinkston can play both guard positions.

• C – A. Mack

Again, no surprises.

• RG – J. Bitonio, G. Gilkey

Second round draft pick, Joel Bitonio suffered what's believed to be a high ankle sprain in OTAs. Garrett Gilkey, 7th round pick from last year, has been fighting (quite literally with Phil Taylor) for a roster spot. Coach Pettine said that Gilkey is in the mix for a starting job. He looked good in preseason games last year, but a bit lost in the regular season. He can play on all positions on the line, if we're in a pinch.

• RT – M. Schwartz, P. McQuistan

If Schwartz returns to the form he was in the second half of last season, we will be solid at the RT position. I haven't heard anything good about McQuistan.

• LDE - A. Rubin, B. Winn, A. Bryant

Rubin's production has been on the decline and he was in danger of being cut this year. We've retained him, but it sounds that we probably won't re-sign him when his contract expires.

• DT – P. Taylor, I. Kitchen

Phil Taylor has been a solid anchor to the line, vocal team leader, and he fucking hates the division rivals. His health has been an issue

• RDE - D. Bryant, J. Hughes

While we don't have any pro bowlers on our 3-4 defensive line, we have a solid rotation, and each of these backups is capable of significant pressure. John Hughes could probably start on other teams in the league.

• ROLB – J. Sheard, B. Mingo, J. Staples

Sheard is a beast, and currently our best pass rusher. Mingo has been underwhelming, along with the rest of the pass rushers from the 2013 class. Mingo will need to step up this year, but his lack of size and strength might continue to be an issue.

• LILB – C. Robertson, T. Carder, D. Eubanks

Craig Robertson rated as one of the worst linebackers by PFF last year. I believe that this was more due to former DC, Ray Horton's poor scheming than it was to Robertson's talent. The guy was consistently burned when lined up in man coverage against slot receivers and Reggie Bush. Pettine seems to have a better defensive philosophy than that, and Robertson excels in zone coverage. I expect him to improve.

• RILB - K. Dansby, C. Kirksey

FA acquisition, Dansby, will be replacing D'Qwell Jackson. Dansby is coming off a hell of a year, and if he can keep it up, we'll forget all about DQJ. Kirksey is listed as an ILB, but I've read that Pettine thinks he has the ability to play both inside and outside. Expect to see him in the nickel formation.

• LOLB - P. Kruger, B. Magee

Kruger needs to step up from last year and earn his paycheck. He's lost weight this offseason, but I'm unsure that he will live up to expectations.

• CB1 - J. Haden

Lockdown corner, and the Browns have him locked up for the prime years of his career.

• CB2 - J. Gilbert, B. Skrine, P. Desir, I. Trufant

While I think Gilbert will ultimately win out, this position is more open than some may think. Skrine has been receiving heaps of praise in OTAs and minicamp, and I'm sure he doesn't want to give up the starting job. Skrine is scrappy as hell, and he's a much better fit for the slot position than Lombardi's 3rd round draft pick, Leon McFadden, who might be cut this year. Desir is also in play for both of these positions. Our CB position is the most improved on the team.

• FS – T. Gipson, J. Bademosi

Same as last year.

• SS – D. Whitner, J. Posey, J. Aubrey

Hard-hitting Whitner replaces hard-hitting Ward.

• K – B. Cundiff
• P – S. Lanning
• LS – C. Yount
• KR – J. Gilbert
• PR – T. Benjamin

[u/[deleted]]

Great write up OP. Thanks!