2023 Off-Season Free Agent moves/signings

[Orion]

36 minutes ago, syd said:

man i just loved how angry he ran 

My line was, He runs like his hair is on fire!      I hope he lands a job in Washington.

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But what did having the best RB tandem in the league and top rated OL do for us, for at least a few years?    We got one playoff win against the Steelers who turned it over to us 7 times.  -  It's about the passing attack.  You want consistent playoffs?  Be able to pass the ball well.  You want consistent shots at the championship?  Be able to pass the ball well and play really good defense.

[ballpeen]

On 4/7/2023 at 6:18 PM, Orion said:

Basically, our problem

Phil Dangerfield Vice President, Operations

Poor guy.  Just like his Dad, he gets no respect.  Must be a family curse.

[Orion]

8 minutes ago, ballpeen said:

Phil Dangerfield Vice President, Operations

Ever see so many vice presidents before?  They have to have a separate Christmas party just for vice presidents.  

[ballpeen]

10 minutes ago, Orion said:

Ever see so many vice presidents before?  They have to have a separate Christmas party just for vice presidents.  

Seems like a lot, but in any business any lead in some segment of the business usually gets a VP title.  I guess you could call them manager of operations, but what's the difference what you call them?

[TexasAg1969]

1 hour ago, Orion said:

Ever see so many vice presidents before?  They have to have a separate Christmas party just for vice presidents.  

Well when you bring in a lot of players with a lot of vices, you have to have the appropriate personnel to keep up with them all.😈😁

[Orion]

11 hours ago, ballpeen said:

but what's the difference what you call them?

True enough.  Coincidently, my email sig is a family favorite....it's...My Name, Vice President of Mr. & Mrs.    

[Unsympathetic]

Tendered this guy late last week.  Exactly what you look for in your end-of-the roster ST guys.  Signed early last year from Bears PS, somehow played in 7 games and I never heard of him.

Now do that again with DI..

[Vambo]

Browns re-sign G Michael Dunn, CB Thomas Graham and DT Ben Stille as offseason program gets underway

https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2023/04/browns-re-sign-guard-michael-dunn-for-depth-as-offseason-program-gets-underway.html

[gumby73]

Browns agree to 5th year option on T Jedrick Wills...

Report: Browns make decision on Jed Wills 5th-year option

https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2023/5/1/23706360/browns-jedrick-wills-jed-wills-fifth-year-option

[nickers]

35 minutes ago, gumby73 said:

Browns agree to 5th year option on T Jedrick Wills...

Report: Browns make decision on Jed Wills 5th-year option

https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2023/5/1/23706360/browns-jedrick-wills-jed-wills-fifth-year-option

Strange... According to Socials.. Jed doesn't like it here...

[Korsou Dawg]

On 5/1/2023 at 9:34 AM, nickers said:

Strange... According to Socials.. Jed doesn't like it here...

Not strange. As much as I am ready to give up on Jed too, given his utterly disappointing play, there is no value in letting him go. 

Maybe he gets some reps at RT, or is included in a trade. At worst, you have a player on a rookie deal a little longer. 

[Orion]

On 5/1/2023 at 9:34 AM, nickers said:

According to Socials.. Jed doesn't like it here...

Why?  Are they asking him to block more than three and a half seconds?

[Vambo]

Browns sign Colby Gossett

Posted by Josh Alper on May 3, 2023, 2:07 PM EDT

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2023/05/03/browns-sign-colby-gossett/

 

The Browns added a player to their offensive line on Wednesday.

The team announced the signing of guard Colby Gossett. No terms of the deal were disclosed.

It is Gossett’s second stint with the team, but he did not appear in any regular season games during the first one. He signed to the Cleveland practice squad in 2019 and opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID before being released at the end of training camp in 2021.

Gossett moved on to Atlanta and he appeared in 31 games over the last two seasons. The 2018 Vikings sixth-round pick also played five games and made four starts for the Cardinals during his rookie season.

 

 

Browns give Kansas UDFA pass rusher a massive contract

https://brownswire.usatoday.com/2023/05/03/browns-2023-nfl-draft-lonnie-phelps-contract/

 

Under general manager Andrew Berry, the Cleveland Browns have shown they aren’t afraid to hand out large contracts for undrafted free agents they covet. This trend has continued this year as Aaron Wilson has reported that pass rusher Lonnie Phelps has secured a payday from the team. Wilson says the contract is for $250,000 guaranteed, including a $50,000 signing bonus.

Phelps is an intriguing player that should have a fair chance to battle for a roster spot as a pass rusher. This past season for the Jayhawks Phelps had an 18.9 pass rush win rate according to PFF. He is pretty strong in run support as well, with seven sacks this season and 8.5 sacks in 2021.

[syd]

8 minutes ago, Vambo said:

Browns sign Colby Gossett

Posted by Josh Alper on May 3, 2023, 2:07 PM EDT

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2023/05/03/browns-sign-colby-gossett/

 

The Browns added a player to their offensive line on Wednesday.

The team announced the signing of guard Colby Gossett. No terms of the deal were disclosed.

It is Gossett’s second stint with the team, but he did not appear in any regular season games during the first one. He signed to the Cleveland practice squad in 2019 and opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID before being released at the end of training camp in 2021.

Gossett moved on to Atlanta and he appeared in 31 games over the last two seasons. The 2018 Vikings sixth-round pick also played five games and made four starts for the Cardinals during his rookie season.

 

 

Browns give Kansas UDFA pass rusher a massive contract

https://brownswire.usatoday.com/2023/05/03/browns-2023-nfl-draft-lonnie-phelps-contract/

 

Under general manager Andrew Berry, the Cleveland Browns have shown they aren’t afraid to hand out large contracts for undrafted free agents they covet. This trend has continued this year as Aaron Wilson has reported that pass rusher Lonnie Phelps has secured a payday from the team. Wilson says the contract is for $250,000 guaranteed, including a $50,000 signing bonus.

Phelps is an intriguing player that should have a fair chance to battle for a roster spot as a pass rusher. This past season for the Jayhawks Phelps had an 18.9 pass rush win rate according to PFF. He is pretty strong in run support as well, with seven sacks this season and 8.5 sacks in 2021.

depth baby depth,we gonna rock this year

[Vambo]

Browns add safety Rodney McLeod to secondary

• 
  Jake Trotter, ESPN Staff WriterMay 4, 2023, 10:59 AM ET

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/37406960/source-browns-add-safety-rodney-mcleod-secondary

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BEREA, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns have agreed to terms with veteran safety Rodney McLeod, a source told ESPN on Thursday.

McLeod will likely step into a key backup role in the Cleveland secondary behind starting safeties Grant Delpit and Juan Thornhill, whom the Browns signed earlier in free agency.

McLeod enjoyed a rejuvenation in his 11th NFL season in 2022, emerging in his first season with the Indianapolis Colts as a key member of one of the league's underrated defenses. He registered career highs in pass deflections (8) and tackles for losses (8) and was the team's third-leading tackler with 96 stops.Having played both strong and free safety in his career, McLeod, 32, is equally comfortable playing either role. He embraced more of a strong safety role last season in the Colts' single-high-safety scheme, providing significant impact at or near the line of scrimmage.

Undrafted out of Virginia in 2012, McLeod is lauded by coaches for his leadership and has played 156 games for the Rams, the Philadelphia Eagles and the Colts over his career. That's more than all but 11 players selected in his draft class -- an impressive run for the veteran.

In those 11 seasons, McLeod has 688 tackles, 18 interceptions, 12 forced fumbles and 9 recoveries, 60 pass deflections, 2 sacks and 3 touchdowns.

[Orion]

6 hours ago, Vambo said:

McLeod is lauded by coaches for his leadership

I like having at least one savvy veteran back there somewhere.  Go Schwartz!

[tiamat63]

 Mcloud is not only a vet, but one with a great deal of experience under Schwartz.  I've spoken about Delpit's struggles in 2022 under his expanded role.  Also talked about how it was clear he was having some language/communication issues with the other DBs.  

 This signing feels a lot like a targeted mentorship role with a large dose of insurance policy. 

 

 

 Off Browns topic - Bills signed Poona Ford.  That hurts, would have loved to seen him here over either of Hurst or Hill signings. 

[Orion]

On 5/4/2023 at 3:57 PM, Vambo said:

Browns add safety Rodney McLeod to secondary

STATS Regular Season     TOT SOLO AST SACK FF FR YDS INT YDS AVG TD LNG PD STF STFYDS KB 96 59 37 0 0 1 0 2 27 13.5 1 1 8 6 18 0

 

How does a safety score a 1 yard TD?

 

[tiamat63]

RE: Zadarius Smith

 

Interesting things I saw just week 1 alone.

 

ZS at the 4tech being used as an interior pass rusher.

 

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Back to a more "traditional" 5 tech.   Also in this pic, is 315lb Dalvin Tomlinson also parked on the edge as a 5tech.  

 

 

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ZS is able to use his quickness and strength to fire into and control the RG's outside shoulder.

Dalvin is actually out there doing his best Reggie White impression.  That's a big man to be playing outside.

 

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 This is really what I love to see and clearly what the Browns front office has (FINALLY) come around on.    You need a complete pass rush.  There's zero interior pocket integrity, and Dalvin Tomlinson has actually gotten around on the edge here.  No room for Rodgers to step up, and no where to go laterally to buy time to throw.   

  This rep ended up with Aaron having to eat this potential throw and Smith getting the sack.    You'll notice the red line, where previously its been bent out towards the Brownies defense the past year...  That wasn't the case in Minny.  They re-establish and control the LoS - something Schwartz will have nothing less than in 2023.  

 

 

 

 

It really is impressive with the presence of Tomlinson, Smith, Ogbo, Mcguire, Isiah Thomas, Wright, and Myles just what combinations can be thrown at an Oline in passing downs/distances.

 You want Myles to rush more on the interior? Not a problem, we have Ogbo and Smith on the edge.  You want 6'7 Alex Wright getting his hands in the air up the middle? Easy, that's his best attribute.   Do you want to bluff that double A-gap with Obgo and JOK and play a game called "who's it gonna be?"...      All these tools and all of those looks are now available to our defensive coaches. 

 

 

[Unsympathetic]

10 hours ago, tiamat63 said:

6'7 Alex Wright getting his hands in the air up the middle? Easy, that's his best attribute

Aren't you happy we spent a second-round pick on a DE whose top pass-disruption skill is something normally mentioned as a skill of 300# plugger DT's? This is fine.

Follow-up question: Should Alex Wright be a professional football player in 2023?  Looking like there's one roster spot for both him and Thomas.

[SdBacker80]

Smith signing adds another rotational piece he’s 31 with not a lot of good tread left.   I’m hoping we don’t expect 50-60 plus snaps a game.  Wright and Ogbo need to play significant snaps as well.  

[tiamat63]

15 hours ago, Unsympathetic said:

Aren't you happy we spent a second-round pick on a DE whose top pass-disruption skill is something normally mentioned as a skill of 300# plugger DT's? This is fine.

Follow-up question: Should Alex Wright be a professional football player in 2023?  Looking like there's one roster spot for both him and Thomas.

3rd rounder - and no, I wasn't happy then, I'm not happy about it now.  

 As of typing this, Isiah Thomas was the more complete football player.  However I.T. was a 7th rounder while Wright was a top 100 pick.  Most GM's will show loyalty to "their guys" to a fault.

[gumby73]

6 hours ago, tiamat63 said:

  Most GM's will show loyalty to "their guys" to a fault.

Spot On ! and hate it...

 

The roster bubble going to get real, on decisions made on keeping OL, DL, to DB's taking up 9 to____ spots at each position..

Large room of WR's (14)..  The number we've kept is 6... 

We may just stay roster slack at RB/TE? 4 has been the roster kept number at both positions. 3 looks it, at this time 

MKC/// "Bill Musgrave's coaching history focuses on coaching quarterbacks, but apparently he will be in advisory role for the overall operation of the offense".

LB'ers ? Berry has maintained keeping 6 as the roster number (2/3 mainly play ST's).. count 9 going into camp.. injury history may say not to reduce the roster size?/ but surely, stay on the radar, looking for some upgraded depth 

long             way            to          go...  stay tuned 

[Orion]

Browns sign CB Chris Westry

Cleveland adds some depth at cornerback with a player who has played for the Cowboys and Ravens.

he 6-foot-4 and 200-pound Westry was initially signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2019. He landed on injured reserve for his rookie season and then spent the majority of the 2020 season on the practice squad in Dallas, although he did appear in two games that year, playing nine snaps on defense and 19 on special teams.

In 2021, Westry moved on to the Baltimore Ravens, appearing in six games and playing 184 snaps on defense and another 66 on special teams. He posted a nice tackling grade of 84.4 and a solid run defense grade of 79.7 from Pro Football Focus, but struggled in coverage with a grade of 50 and allowed a quarterback rating of 118.6 when targeted in coverage.

 

-----  Some think we'll be utilizing man coverage more this year.  As they'll be saying at Indy, "He's on the bubble."   

 

[tiamat63]

Moving on to game 2, and the picture starts to become more clear on the 'why?' behind Za'darius.    

We know that Coach Schwartz loves his 1 gap fits.

We know that he is adverse to sending blitzes - as evidenced by being towards league bottom during his time in Philly hovering around the 20% mark.

His defenses consistently turn out top half pressure rates despite bottom 1/3rd blitz rates.

 

 The biggest reason is a coaching philosophy that trends towards a 'less is more' approach that minimizes the focus on the brute force of numbers, but instead maximizes the idea of creating ideal pass rushing lanes.   While there are multiple parts to creating lanes, one of the biggest is pre-snap alignment.    Smith's ability to rush from the edge, the DI and as a 2pt backer over either A gap really stands out as the ability Schwartz had identified as priority #1 for his last free agent piece.

 

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Smith's ability to get skinny when shooting the L-A gap is pretty damn crazy. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 While I expect ZS's snap count to be a bit limited in the early going, it's who will fill in the other snaps that has me also intrigued.    Ogbo played a good deal of 2pt rusher in Houston, I'd suspect he takes not only the edge role, but the snaps when rushing over the Center.    Meanwhile Mcguire and Thomas should fill out nicely playing on the edge in the more 'base' 4 man fronts.

 

[Unsympathetic]

Just a reminder that Berry was able to turn one 2023 second-round pick into 2 good-to-great WR's.

An un-injured Tillman would have gone substantially higher than where we got him.. he was the better WR on vols last year and most projections had him in rd2 anyway.  Could do a lot worse than having as an "NFL Comp" a 2022 pro bowl alternate last season despite bad QB play -- IND's Pittman.

 

Fun with draft comps on NFL.com: Zay Flowers comp was Travis Benjamin, Elijah Moore's comp was Antonio Brown, JSN's comp was Jarvis Landry

Also to anyone who "rather would have had Hyatt" -- Hyatt went in the 3rd because NFL teams viewed him as having less of a route tree than Tillman and having less skill vs press [hyatt is 170, tillman is 215].  Hyatt actually didn't slide -- Tillman did due to injury.

[Orion]

The club signed wide receiver Ra’Shaun Henry and offensive tackle Hunter Thedford. In a subsequent transaction, the Browns released offensive tackle Joe Haeg.

Henry was originally signed by the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2022 out of the University of Virginia. He spent training camp and the preseason with the Panthers before being released and eventually signed with the Atlanta Falcons in mid-October, where he spent most of the rest of the season on the team’s practice squad.

Despite not appearing in a regular season game, the Falcons signed Henry to a reserve/futures contract in January of this year but ultimately decided to waive him on May 15.

Henry played two seasons at Virginia after transferring from Saint Francis University. He appeared in 21 games for the Cavaliers, making five starts, and finished his two-year stint with 41 receptions for 809 yards and seven touchdown receptions.

Thedford has taken a circuitous route to the NFL as he started his college career as a defensive end at Southern Methodist University before transferring to Utah and converting to playing tight end.  An undrafted free agent in 2020, the 6-foot-6 and 325-pound Thedford has spent time with the New England Patriots, the Pittsburgh Maulers of the United States Football League, where he played tight end, and, most recently, with the Denver Broncos, who waived Thedford last week with an injury settlement as he is dealing with a hip flexor injury.

As for Haeg, the seven-year veteran joined the Browns in 2022 after playing four years with the Indianapolis Colts, one year with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and a single season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He ended up appearing in one game last season with the Cleveland, playing one snap on offense.

The most notable part of Haeg’s release is that it clears $2 million in cap space for the moment, as only $500,000 of his $2.5 million base salary was guaranteed, which gives general manager Andrew Berry a little more room to work with in case he wants to add another player (“cough, DeAndre Hopkins, cough”) to the roster in the coming days.

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Another 6'3 WR for the bottom of the roster.

[Unsympathetic]

Because our cap space is obviously infinite, let's trade for a guy on Washington's DL that some of us are familiar with.

Commanders declined Chase Young's 5th year option - 2023 is his last year under contract.

[mjp28]

53 minutes ago, Unsympathetic said:

Because our cap space is obviously infinite, let's trade for a guy on Washington's DL that some of us are familiar with.

Commanders declined Chase Young's 5th year option - 2023 is his last year under contract.

Why not at least think about it ...... remember when Chase looked like a can't miss Pro Bowl talent ?  Has he just lost the desire to stick it out there now and play NFL football  ?  

Chase Young's once-promising, seemingly limitless tenure in Washington has suddenly reached a turning point.

The Commanders declined to pick up Young's fifth-year option Wednesday, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported. Washington's decision means Young will have just one season (2023) left on his rookie deal.

Washington could have mulled this for a few more days, as the NFL's deadline to pick up a fifth-year option on a 2020 first-round pick doesn't arrive until May 2. Instead, the Commanders didn't feel the need to wait any longer, producing cracks in what once was a rock-solid partnership between player and club.

[Vambo]