They listened? Browns sign Miles Austin

I'm sure the Cleveland Browns didn't read Wideout Wipeout that we wrote a few days ago, but the result ended in the same way as the Browns signed Miles Austin to a contract, and with Josh Gordon more than likely on his way to suspension, instantly becomes the team's number one receiver for 2014.

Now just because I promoted this signing and the Browns signed Miles Austin does not mean this is guaranteed to work out.
Austin does turn 30 before the start of the season and he has posted disappointing numbers in two of the last three years.
Austin also has missed his share of playing time over that term, so this could be a high-priced item that brings a name to Cleveland, but faded skills.

On the other hand, Austin did catch 10 balls in the Dallas opener, and before his hamstring injuries, looked to be the same player that just missed 1,000 yards in 2012.
Austin still has his deep speed to step into the Gordon position and if (huge IF), he can leave the injuries behind and has some motivation to prove some people wrong-the Browns could have themselves a steal.

Cleveland also signed 27-year-old Earl Bennett from the Chicago Bears in another attempt to build depth at wide receiver.
Bennett, as I noted in Wideout Wipeout, has never done much for me in his Chicago tenure, but there is a reason for that-Bennett is inconsistent.
I mean his numbers have decreased in each of the last four years, although that could be because the Bears continue to add talented pass catchers to their team each year (Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery) and he just got caught up in the shuffle.
If you look even closer at Bennett's career, it seems like he explodes once or twice a season and then disappoints thereafter.
Bennett can play some outside but is most likely to see time behind Andrew Hawkins in the slot.
I don't mind taking a flyer on Bennett under the circumstances, but I would hesitate to count much on him either.

So assuming the Josh Gordon end game is a season-long suspension, the Browns still are average at best at wideout, but Gordon wins his appeal? Well, this could be a pretty good bunch.
Assuming that he is not, it's an average group, but better than it looked a few days ago.....