Monday, April 14, 2014

Brownie Bits

A few words on the Browns as we get closer to the draft.

The huge elephant in the room is the Browns matching the offer sheet of the Jacksonville Jaguars to center Alex Mack.
The gamble by Ray Farmer in transitioning Mack rather than franchising him paid off as Mack came at a cheaper 18 million for the first two years of the contract than the transitional tag.
Mack has a no trade clause until 2017 and the team can't use either tag on Mack if he opts out after two years.

Still,the gamble paid off and one of the better centers in the league remains as a mainstay on the offensive line in Cleveland.
The most fortunate thing about that is that the Browns will not have address center in the draft and can use picks better needed elsewhere.
I think Alex Mack is worth the value of the contract,but the Browns need to show signs of turning the corner as Mack can elect to leave after two years.
By that time,Mack will be 29 and will likely to be looking to play for a winner rather than cash in.


The Browns also signed a blocking fullback today as former Bengal Chris (Heartbreak Hotel ) Pressley to a deal.
The former Wisconsin Badger is a six year veteran,but missed most of last season after injuring his knee,but brings the type of blocker that Cleveland has missed from the backfield since the long ago Lawrence Vickers left for Houston.
Pressley's presence should be a huge help for Ben Tate on short yardage plays and considering that Pressley weighs in at near 250 pounds,he might get an occasional carry himself.
Love this signing as the Browns haven't invested in a physical blocking fullback in years and it's long been my opinion that you need to run the football in the AFC North.

Wrapping up with my hopes in order for the Browns first pick in the draft.

1) Sammy Watkins WR Clemson
2) Khalil Mack LB Buffalo
3) Jadeveon Clowney DE South Carolina
4) Blake Bortles QB Central Florida
5) Jake Matthews T Texas A&M

2 comments:

Unknown said...

I've been debating who I want the Browns to take, but gotta agree with ya.. Having Sammy Watkins with Josh Gordon and Jordan Cameron.. not to mention Tate in the backfield with a good offensive line.. Hoyer under center... looks like a pretty nice offense to me.

Shawn said...

There are about 7 or 8 players that I could have the Browns take at 4 and be happy,but I really do think Watkins would give this team four legitimate weapons and make even an average QB look pretty sharp