Browns sign Brian Hartline

The Cleveland Browns began to address their painfully obvious issues at wide receiver on the evening before free agency's start with the signing of Brian Hartline to a two year contract.

Hartline,who is from Canton and played his college football at Ohio State,saw his numbers drop last season,but in the previous two seasons,Hartline caught over seventy passes and over one thousand receiving yards in each.

The 6'2 Hartline isn't a speed burner,but possesses enough speed to keep defenses honest and should be a badly needed upgrade to the corps.
At worst,Hartline should be to match or exceed what Miles Austin did last season for the Browns.
Austin is a free agent,but I would be in favor of the Browns attempting to bring Austin back to the team.
Hartline does not eliminate the issue of lacking a true number one receiver,but adding him to Andrew Hawkins,who might able to move to the slot position that he was signed to play and Taylor Gabriel does make things better at the position.
I still believe the Browns need another receiver either early in the draft or another veteran,although a veteran that would be available in the market would be more along the lines of Hartline and not a true lead receiver.

In any case,Hartline is a upgrade at an affordable cost (three million per year) and considering that he will not count as a free agent signing (Miami released him),the Browns could be possibly adding compensation picks for the first time in a while in the 2016 draft.
I'll expound more on that in the Browns free agency recap,but it is an interesting strategy to consider.

Podcast

Browns in Free Agency

The Cleveland Browns seem to be small players in free agency according to rumors,but the Browns will sign some players and they should with the holes that this team currently has.

It seems that Ray Farmer wants "to build through the draft" which is admirable,if you manage to keep players that you have developed into contributors,which looks unlikely as I'll write below.
I'll be looking at various positions that could use help and with a few players that I would like to see in Cleveland at those positions.
Keep in mind that the cap would not allow all of these players to be signed,just players that I like at those positions...

Offensively, the Browns have huge needs at wide receiver and tight end.
A number one wideout needs to arrive via free agency or the draft.
If you draft one,I'm fine with the Browns going after a Michael Crabtree or a Brian Hartline in free agency,but the elite WR's are already signed elsewhere (Jeremy Maclin to the Chiefs),signed with their current team (Randall Cobb in Green Bay) or franchised (Dez Bryant in Dallas and Demaryuis Thomas in Denver),so it appears that the best available are the aging Andre Johnson,deep threat Torrey Smith,who struggled as the number one in Baltimore and maybe Percy Harvin,who doesn't seem like a Mike Pettine fit.
I'd be Ok with any of those along with Crabtree and Hartline,but I'd consider a look at Denarius Moore of the Raiders,who can stretch the field and is a former Tennessee Volunteer,which could increase the Browns interest at the right price...

The Browns don't appear to be interesting in bringing back Jordan Cameron at the price that he wishes.
Despite the ability and skills that Cameron brings,I can understand the reluctance with Cameron's injury filled past with concussions.
Cameron is a huge risk and one that I could live with the Browns not wanting to take that chance.
Two tight ends that would make sense to me with the blocking types of retainees Gary Barnidge and Jim Dray are Jermaine Gresham of the Bengals and Owen Daniels of the Ravens.
Daniels had big years catching the ball with Houston and at minimum brings a red zone target that resembles Cameron.
Gresham was underused in Cincinnati in my opinion and might be a high reward signing for the Browns.
Of the two,I prefer Gresham..

The offensive line could use a little help,but I don't see the Browns investing dollars here unless they want a new right tackle for Mitchell Schwartz to fend off.
The tackle crop is light this year,so I would likely say it would be a depth signing more than someone brought in to start.
The guards are solid with Joel Bitonio and John Greco,but if they wanted a third guard,I've always liked the Falcons Justin Blalock.

Cleveland has likely made their quarterback move with Josh McCown and I don't see the Browns signing a quarterback,although they could draft one or even trade for one in the right circumstance (Sam Bradford or Nick Foles).
If I had to take a quarterback from this group,I'd take Jake Locker of the Titans as the best of an uninspiring bunch...

The Browns seems set at running back with youngsters Isaiah Crowell,Terrence West and Glenn Winston,but a veteran to fill the role that Ben Tate didn't would be a nice addition.
Two players that might be nice at an affordable cost would be Roy Helu of Washington and Pierre Thomas of New Orleans.
Both could slip well into a back rotation and can catch out of the backfield..

On defense,the Browns need two things badly-a outside rusher opposite of Paul Kruger and a run stuffer inside to match with the returning from injury Phil Taylor.
The defensive tackle that would be preferred would be either Dan Williams of the Cardinals or Nick Fairley of the Lions.
Both would be upgrades with the loss of Ahtyba Rubin,but both will come at a cost that the Browns might not be willing to pay,
A cheaper alternative might be worth risking a flyer on B.J, Raji's return from injury from the Packers.

Jabaal Sheard never took to being a standup 3-4 backer after being a great 4-3 end.
Cleveland need to generate an outside rush somehow,

If it is from a defensive end,Trent Cole is a proven standout from Philadelphia,but he is 32 and his numbers dipped last season.
I'd be fine with Cole or either of the two young Tampa linemen in Adrian Clayborn or Da'Quan Bowers.
Both have potential to breakout after not being a fit in the Lovie Smith defense last season.
If the Browns prefer the rush to come off the edge from a linebacker,Jason Worilds of the Steelers knows the division and Brian Orakpo of the Redskins are interesting to consider.
The Bills re-signed Jerry Hughes today,who been thought to be a Browns target at this position taking him off the board.

The Browns drafted Justin Gilbert to move Buster Skrine to the slot corner,figuring that Skrine would be cheaper to re-sign after the season.
The problem was Gilbert didn't play well,Skrine had a strong season and now the Browns will have to overpay Skrine to stay,
Assuming Skrine leaves,which I think he will, and then hoping that you get what you hoped from Gilbert,the Browns could be looking for a slot corner with something to prove.
I'd look into former number one pick of the Jets Kyle Wilson.
Mike Pettine knows Wilson and he might be a nice signing at a good price.
The Browns likely aren't signing a safety,but if they did, Kurt Coleman would be solid in the Jim Leonhard role as safe returner,dime back and special teamer.

I'll have more on whoever the Browns sign and I'm sure it'll be part of a upcoming podcast....

Devils flip Flyers 5-2

Adam Henrique scored twice (13 and 14) and Steve Bernier finished with three assists as the New Jersey Devils finished off a tribute weekend to the 1994-95 champions with a 5-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers.
The Devils also received goals from Eric Gelinas (6 Power Play),Jacob Josefson (4 Shorthanded) and Stephen Gionta (4).
Keith Kinkaid finished with 25 saves as the Devils finished the homestand with the victory.
The Devils travel to Minnesota on Tuesday....

Hell Raisers

1) The day was started and made by the tribute to the 20th anniversary of the Devils first ever Stanley Cup champions.
The fans really warmed it up and the franchise did a great job paying homage to that team...

2) Adam Henrique's two goals came on two shots,which is a solid shooting percentage.
Henrique also just missed an assist when Travis Zajac clanged a two on one breakaway chance off the pipe...

3) Steve Bernier with three assists?
Not just surprisingly effective,but showing a dimension that he hasn't always had.
Bernier is going to receive a raise next year....

4) Jacob Josefson scored his shorthanded goal off the backhand and Josefson is seeming to revitalize a flagging career.
Josefson is going to be far more productive when allowed to be creative and for the first time in a while,I feel good about his future.

5) Keith Kinkaid got the start and was very strong in goal.
I would say neither goal was on him and he made several strong saves.
I really like Kinkaid and I hope the Devils can retain him next season.

Premiere Boxing Champions

The highly touted Premier Boxing Champions series finally began on NBC with two bouts and another on NBCSN last night and it was a mixed bag as any project is when it starts from scratch.
Usually,I'll talk about the bouts and the Boxing Challenge (R.L.Malpica gained one point on the night to lead 19-17 on the season),but I want to bring out the bullet points and I'll add a few words on the day's upset that WASN'T part of the PBC at the end of the piece....

Things that I liked about the broadcast.

1) Liked the guys being in suit and tie in the buildup spots and during the bumper scenes.
Added a bit of professionalism in our sport that often lacks it...

2) Al Michaels was smooth enough as a host and even though some on the internet were harsh on Marv Albert and Ray Leonard at the mic,I thought they were Ok,albeit rusty.
I think they should be better in April...

3) Many think the the lack of entourage and shortened ring walks took away the fighters personalities.
Personally.I didn't mind that,but what you did see was the subtle touch of Al Haymon (like Vince McMahon) building the PBC brand more than the individual fighters.
I liked it,but many didn't.

4) I thought the graphics were clear,easy to read and identified who was who quickly and with ease.
Sounds like a no brainer,but too often in sports-that is often not the case.

5) Keith Thurman's win over Robert Guerrero was exciting enough,but it still was a one-sided fight.
That bout saved the night,but they will need more competitive fights as the series moves on...

6) I hope the video circle or whatever they named it will be traveling from arena to arena.
It adds an aspect that is often missing from the product and was a nice touch,

Things that I didn't

1) Hated the ring announcer.
Added no drama,little excitement and generally left me flat.
I missed Michael Buffer or Jimmy Lennon Jr and perhaps they are locked up exclusively for others,but someone other than the person that they are using has to be brought in....

2) Kenny Rice is not great on interviews,but even worse on blow by blow (he did the Abner Mares fight on NBCSN),I could do without him and I thought B.J,Flores and Laila Ali were just OK as the corner reporters.
I'll look at the corner reporters as a work in progress,but I think that needs a little bit of refining the role.
Too bad that the knowledgeable Jessica Rosales from Fox Sports One wasn't available for this role and I wish someone would have talked to Steve Farhood about his unofficial scorecard instead just flashing it.

3) Adrien Broner has always been more style than substance and he confirmed that with another tedious victory ,this one over John Molina,who has now lost three fights in a row.
I thought this would be a dull one from the day it was signed and I hoped Broner would turn it up a bit late considering the event and try to be more exciting.
Instead,he was content to bore and get a W over a limited fighter that was there for the picking.
Time for Al Haymon to face it-Broner is Floyd Mayweather lite-Little power,lots of defense,overly defensive and image comes first.
Considering all that and that the real reason fans watch Mayweather is to see him get beat (watch his ratings/PPV buys fall when that happens) with the fact that Broner already has a loss and you truly have a limited draw and a somnolent fighter.

4) Good thing for the evening that Abner Mares and his win over Arturo Reyes was moved to NBCSN because it was another less than thrilling bout.
I thought Mares won a close decision,but no way by the scores on the judges cards.
If I am Al Haymon,I get Mares in the ring for Leo Santa Cruz ASAP because when he fights a top 20 fighter-he's losing and the name might as well go on the resume' of Santa Cruz while it still means something.
Jhonny Gonzalez seems to have ruined a promising career with his one round demolition of Mares...

5) The Keith Thurman-Robert Guerrero bout saved the night for the PBC,but lets keep some perspective.
It wasn't a fight of the year candidate,it was a one-sided bout (I had it 10-2 for Thurman in rounds,118-109 on points) that showed some nice exchanges and lots of heart by Guerrero.
For all the Keith Thurman "One Time" hype,he has yet to stop a top 20 fighter with one shot.
Thurman punches so much better when throwing in combinations,I think he'd be successful changing his style slightly.

6) I heard only one name from anyone about a non-PBC fighter (Lucas Matthysse) and that was to praise the punching power of John Molina.
Add that to the relentless pushing of Peter Quillin for the next card when the champion,Andy Lee,just has a quick half second picture flashed because he is a non-PBC fighter and you have a McMahonesque creation in the making.
I say that because Vince McMahon would never mention anyone that didn't wrestle for his group and acted like they didn't exist.
It appears that will be the PBC way as well....

It wouldn't fair to not mention the upset of the day where the touted Chinese Olympian Zou Shiming dropped a unanimous decision to  the IBF Flyweight champion Amnat Ruenroeng.
Ruenroeng survived a knockdown that wasn't really one and a huge crowd in China to post a clear decision (115-112 on my card).
I was all prepared for a bad decision considering the home crowd,money that Shiming brings in from China and time that his promoter Top Rank has put into him,but the judges got it right with their cards.
I wonder if HBO would consider bringing Ruenroeng back for a mini-flyweight tourney with WBC champ and very talented Roman Gonzalez and WBA champion Juan Francisco Estrada?
A unified champion with a few wins by Shiming would give plenty attention to the flyweights and offer what I think would be a series of great fights......

Boxing Challenge

Big boxing weekend as many in the upcoming weeks are as Al Haymon and his Premier Boxing Champions series begins to hit the air waves from various networks and locations.

I've been loud about the need for boxing to return to network television and I've stated that I'm not sure about Al Haymon's intentions being good for the sport in making the best fights.
I'm rooting for the PBC to be successful,but not at the cost of running everyone else out of business.
I know many are excited about tonight's card,but I'm not totally convinced that this is going to be a great card.
I think both of these bouts could be lopsided matches,although I'm a little more excited about the April NBC card and if they are what I think they could be,I hope it doesn't turn fans off....
Combine that with an HBO 2 card with Zou Shiming's title shot from China and you have a good day of boxing.
R.L.Malpica leads the boxing challenge 14-13 at this point....

Picks
IBF Flyweight title 12 rds
Amnat Ruenroeng vs Zou Shiming
Both:Shiming Unanimous Decision

Welterweights.12 rds
Keith Thurman vs Robert Guerrero
R.L.:Thurman KO 9
TRS: Thurman KO 11

Jr.Welterwieghts.12 rds
Adrien Broner vs John Molina
R.L:Broner Unanimous Decision
TRS: Broner KO 10

Featherweights.12 rds
Abner Mares vs Arturo Reyes
Both: Mares Unanimous Decision

Devils Straight Jacketed 3-2

The New Jersey Devils missed some open nets,clanked a few pipes and missed the tying goal scoring by about a second,but add it all up and you have a 3-2 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets at the Rock in Newark.
Jordin Tootoo (7 Power Play) and Peter Harrold (3) scored for New Jersey in defeat.
The Devils now host Philadelphia on Sunday when they honor the 1994-95 Stanley Cup Champions in what might be more interesting to watch than the game...

Hell Raisers

1) Two pieces of good news on both Devils goals.
The Peter Harrold goal was jaw dropping in both the move against the defenseman and Sergei Bobrovsky and that it was Peter Harrold making those moves.
Super play by Harrold,who seems to have a little more fire in his skates since his move to right wing.

2) Jordin Tootoo put the puck in the net,but the super part of the play was Adam Henrique's no look backhand pass right on Tootoo's stick.
Very nice pass by Henrique..

3) Mark Fraser and Eric Gelinas do not make a strong defensive pairing.
Their games don't favor the others skills and it shows as the Devils really struggle when that tandem was on the ice.

4) Steve Bernier's scrap with David Savard was interesting.
Both are sizable players,but neither drop the gloves often,which may have been why they slugged it out with each other.

5) Cory Schneider was Ok,but not as good as he has been of late.
He received little help from his defense on the Brandon Dubinsky goal,but I still think that was save material and Marko Dano's goal was all on Schneider.

6) Mike Cammalleri beat Sergei Bobrovsky just after the horn sounded,
It was clearly after the buzzer,so no complaint-but so close...