DE Charles Johnson, S Quintin Mikell Set the Bar for Browns' Interests
by Chris Pokorny on Jul 26, 2011 10:34 PM EDT
in General News
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PrintIt's already been a wild day in the NFL, and it sounds like several teams have already reached tentative deals with free agents. ESPN reports that defensive end Charles Johnson has agreed to a 6-year, $72 million deal with the Carolina Panthers. Johnson said he was blown away by the Panthers' offer, and quite frankly, so am I. Johnson is certainly a long-term investment, because I don't see Carolina being very good the next couple of years. Johnson noted that the two other teams who expressed serious interest in him were Denver and Atlanta.
Johnson stated that the Falcons really wanted him but backed off after hearing how much Carolina was offering him. With Johnson off the table, you have to believe the Cleveland Browns will be making a push to get Vikings defensive end Ray Edwards locked up before Friday, when players can officially sign their deals. Multiple reports have confirmed that the Falcons will not pursue Edwards, perhaps because they know he will command a similar deal that Johnson received.
Right now, if you believe the credibility of what has been happening on Twitter, the Philadelphia Eagles and the Browns are the two teams who are neck-and-neck in trying to lure in Edwards. Cleveland needs a top-notch veteran lineman to add some tenacity to their front four, and Edwards is perfectly capable of delivering on that front.
In other news, the St. Louis Rams have reportedly reached an agreement with safety Quintin Mikell of the Eagles. It would be a 4-year deal worth $28 million. That sounds much more affordable than what defensive ends seem to be getting, but Mikell wasn't the top-rated safety in this free agent class: Eric Weddle was. The Browns appear to be one of the team's going after Weddle's services. Lee Hamilton, a radio host, tweeted that Weddle's agent said they would be making visits to Minnesota, Cleveland, and Dallas. The Chicago-Sun Times also listed the Browns as one of the team's that has shown interest in Weddle.
Cleveland's interest in Weddle does not preclude them from signing a different safety. Donte Whitner is still available, as if Abram Elam. Hopefully Tom Heckert and Mike Holmgren are able to work their magic and bring somebody in who can make a positive impact the next couple of years (and we're not talking about Matt Hasselbeck).
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The only thing that concerns me is the comments Heckert made earlier about not going crazy in free agency, almost as if he was setting himself up for when we get no one signed.
by Roger Dorn on Jul 26, 2011 10:47 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs
in all honesty this is a bad FA class to be going crazy anyway. so even as much as i’d like to get some big namers on our team, if other teams like Carolina are willing to dish out THAT much money on a guy who’s hardly in the top 10 of NFL DEs then i’d say use our money on something wiser, like signing Joe Thomas, Joe Haden, and Phil Dawson to 15 year contracts.
Yvan Eht Nioj.
by Brownsbacker488 on Jul 27, 2011 12:58 AM EDT up reply actions
Signing Phil Dawson to a 15-year contract would make him older than time by the time it expired. You can’t kick with a walker in the way.
by Off-the-Chain on Jul 27, 2011 9:22 AM EDT up reply actions
He could get a Hoveround and kick off the side of it as he scoots by.
(If all the nachos are stuck together, it only counts as one nacho.)
by North Coast Flea on Jul 27, 2011 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions
Not sure I’d want Edwards at 6 and 72. One of either Weddle or Whitner would be fine. Or Huff.
Dawgs by Nature -- where Hitler, apparently, 'did some good things'.
Also, where’s the tackle talk? Heading into the season with Pashos as our number one is a bad idea.
Dawgs by Nature -- where Hitler, apparently, 'did some good things'.
by golanbatrac on Jul 26, 2011 10:54 PM EDT up reply actions
We’re dumb if we don’t. There’s options out there.
I guess there's only one thing left to do.....win the whole ******* thing. - Major League
by 24rubikscube on Jul 26, 2011 11:17 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t think Pashos as the #1 is the bad idea, it’s the lack of a #2 when he goes down in the second game.
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
by rufio on Jul 27, 2011 1:16 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
i would rather have Pashos as our #2 and find somebody better to be our starter.
Yvan Eht Nioj.
by Brownsbacker488 on Jul 27, 2011 8:45 AM EDT up reply actions
Also, where’s the tackle talk?
+1. Definitely agree with this sentiment.
Go, I say go away boy, you bother me.
by burntorangeandbrown on Jul 27, 2011 7:24 AM EDT up reply actions
I’m sticking with the “Not my money” philosophy, sign Edwards for what he asks for.
"I want my unwarranted optimism back." -Dilbert
Haha. Exactly.
Dawgs by Nature -- where Hitler, apparently, 'did some good things'.
by golanbatrac on Jul 26, 2011 11:19 PM EDT up reply actions
If we’re throwing around that kind of money, I’d rather we go for Nmadi.
Dawgs by Nature -- where Hitler, apparently, 'did some good things'.
by golanbatrac on Jul 26, 2011 11:18 PM EDT up reply actions
that doesn’t seem likely that the Browns could afford it when the rest of America used up all the bank credit.
Yvan Eht Nioj.
by Brownsbacker488 on Jul 27, 2011 1:00 AM EDT up reply actions
Nnamdi will laugh at that kind of money.
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
No doubt. Nate Clements got damn near 100 million.
Dawgs by Nature -- where Hitler, apparently, 'did some good things'.
Nnamdis gonna want Revis money.
Yvan Eht Nioj.
by Brownsbacker488 on Jul 27, 2011 8:45 AM EDT up reply actions
I’m not sure why he’s hard for the Jets, but I respect football players that are willing to take less to win.
"I want my unwarranted optimism back." -Dilbert
He wants to get a head start on his acting career. New York is the place for that. #nojoke
Dawgs by Nature -- where Hitler, apparently, 'did some good things'.
by golanbatrac on Jul 27, 2011 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions
The cats were making sure Atlanta didn’t get Johnson. Definitely overpaid, that’s pretty ridiculous.
Also why the hell are the Eagles are after Edwards? They just drafted Brandon Graham with the 13th overall pick last year and Juqua Parker had 2 fewer sacks than Ray.
by The Licensed Pessimist on Jul 26, 2011 11:15 PM EDT reply actions
I wouldn’t overpay for Edwards, but I would overpay for Tyson Clabo and since Posluzny is gone I would also go after Barret Ruud at MLB and definitely Weddle or Huff for FS. I would imagine Huff would be much cheaper and still has a lot of upside.
Who nabbed Posluszanygreim?
Dawgs by Nature -- where Hitler, apparently, 'did some good things'.
by golanbatrac on Jul 26, 2011 11:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Wow. Can’t imagine anyone signing with the Jags.
Dawgs by Nature -- where Hitler, apparently, 'did some good things'.
by golanbatrac on Jul 27, 2011 12:02 AM EDT up reply actions
They could offer me a million dollars and I’d have to think about it.
Dawgs by Nature -- where Hitler, apparently, 'did some good things'.
by golanbatrac on Jul 27, 2011 12:07 AM EDT up reply actions
Sadly, I often wonder the same thing about free agents coming here, except for the money obviously. As a fan I’m biased, but from the prospective of a player that wants to win, we’re about as consistently bad (and dysfunctional) as it gets in the modern day NFL.
"I want my unwarranted optimism back." -Dilbert
the who? there’s still a team in Jacksonville? i thought they moved to LA…
Yvan Eht Nioj.
by Brownsbacker488 on Jul 27, 2011 1:02 AM EDT up reply actions
Great, the moronic Panthers over-pay for Johnson so whoever wants Edwards will have to give him a similar deal. However, given Heckert’s post-season comments about Jayme Mitchell, I wonder if we will choose him (as well as retaining exclusive-rights FA’s Benard & Schaefering) over breaking the bank.
As for safety, the fact that Whitner played for Jauron for several seasons in Buffalo may be a difference-maker.
Starting Robaire Smith is an option too if we sign him. Risky to bank on him; rather have him in a rotation.
Dawgs By Nature - Covering the Cleveland Browns on SB Nation.
by Chris Pokorny on Jul 26, 2011 11:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes. I’d like to have him back, but don’t think he’ll be able to be an every down player.
Dawgs by Nature -- where Hitler, apparently, 'did some good things'.
by golanbatrac on Jul 26, 2011 11:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Question: At 6 and 72, would you rather have Edwards, Kiwanuka or trade for Osi Umenyiora?
Dawgs by Nature -- where Hitler, apparently, 'did some good things'.
D: none of the above.
Use that money as part of the deal we should be pitching to Joe Thomas during this upcoming season. We should get a contract extension in place rather than jerking him around with franchise tags and whatnot. They may call it the “franchise tag” but you shouldn’t let it get to that point with a true franchise player.
CBA limited extensions to players (in order to avoid Chris Johnson like holdouts). Not sure how it works or if it would apply to JT, but it could be that an extension of any kind is off the table.
Dawgs by Nature -- where Hitler, apparently, 'did some good things'.
by golanbatrac on Jul 26, 2011 11:57 PM EDT up reply actions
that seems really stupid when all this CBA fuss was about giving the players more of what they wanted. if that’s the case then this whole CBA nonsense only benefits current FAs and retired players while rookies and veteran players already with contracts lose out on opportunities. i agree with the rookie wage scale, but we’ve got to be able to sign Thomas to a longer contract if we choose to.
Yvan Eht Nioj.
by Brownsbacker488 on Jul 27, 2011 1:07 AM EDT up reply actions
Ummm….
Dawgs by Nature -- where Hitler, apparently, 'did some good things'.
by golanbatrac on Jul 27, 2011 12:30 AM EDT up reply actions
I knew I’d misspell Jouron (sp). It’s just like saying George instead of Kokinus (sp).
"I want my unwarranted optimism back." -Dilbert
Kotnkus
(If all the nachos are stuck together, it only counts as one nacho.)
by North Coast Flea on Jul 27, 2011 1:09 AM EDT up reply actions
…
(If all the nachos are stuck together, it only counts as one nacho.)
by North Coast Flea on Jul 27, 2011 12:32 AM EDT up reply actions
Asamugha, Kiwanuke, Unmeniyora? are there any other options for a guy with a funny name that ends in “a”?
Resident Tim Couch Apologist.
fail.
Resident Tim Couch Apologist.
by Dawg Nuts on Jul 27, 2011 9:19 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Also, who exactly ranked Weddle ahead of Mikell? I guess if you take age into account on a long term deal that would be correct. But Mikell is probably the best safety and Weddle and Huff are probably around the same, with the edge to Huff IMO.
by The Licensed Pessimist on Jul 26, 2011 11:37 PM EDT reply actions
Also, who exactly ranked Weddle ahead of Mikell?
Dawgs by Nature -- where Hitler, apparently, 'did some good things'.
by golanbatrac on Jul 26, 2011 11:40 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
Yeah, I should have stressed two things: the tone was basically coming from my own personal opinion, and in the end, there’s really not a specific thing I can look at and say, “this is why _ will be better than __” on the field. Age does play the slight factor in me favoring Weddle to begin with.
Dawgs By Nature - Covering the Cleveland Browns on SB Nation.
by Chris Pokorny on Jul 26, 2011 11:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Good move for viks
Classic mode button! =D
by SpecialBrownie on Jul 26, 2011 11:49 PM EDT up reply actions
They did that in April.
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
McNabb buys Ponder time to learn. He’s their Jake Delhomme of much better quality. Maybe he has one good season left, maybe he doesn’t. Either way Ponder doesn’t get thrown to the wolves on day 1, and their (talented) veteran defense believes they have a chance this year.
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
Wow. It could always be worse. We could be the Redskins.
Dawgs by Nature -- where Hitler, apparently, 'did some good things'.
by golanbatrac on Jul 26, 2011 11:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Though I think McNabb had a monster bonus coming in September. If the Vikings pick all or most of that up, a sixth might be just about right.
Dawgs by Nature -- where Hitler, apparently, 'did some good things'.
by golanbatrac on Jul 26, 2011 11:59 PM EDT up reply actions
No doubt, and I’m no fan, but he got jerked around a bit by Shanahan. I think he probably has something left.
Dawgs by Nature -- where Hitler, apparently, 'did some good things'.
by golanbatrac on Jul 27, 2011 12:04 AM EDT up reply actions
I would prefer him over Delhomme…
by Bumblyjack on Jul 27, 2011 12:08 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Anderson and Quinn are just about the only guys I’d ever put under Delhomme…
"I want my unwarranted optimism back." -Dilbert
by Simmsinns on Jul 27, 2011 12:28 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
You’re all about the unintentional homoerotic double entendres all of a sudden.
Dawgs by Nature -- where Hitler, apparently, 'did some good things'.
by golanbatrac on Jul 27, 2011 12:31 AM EDT up reply actions
Here is a fun game, I will post the answer tomorrow when I log on.
Name the players:
Player A: 14 games, 14 GS, 37 tackles, 8 sacks
Player B: 15 games, 2 GS, 28 tackles, 7.5 sacks
I think player B is Marcus Bernard.
Dawgs by Nature -- where Hitler, apparently, 'did some good things'.
by golanbatrac on Jul 27, 2011 12:04 AM EDT up reply actions
And Benard is actually the bigger of the two (by 23 lbs).
You make a good point. Maybe we have our solution at DE in house.
Dawgs by Nature -- where Hitler, apparently, 'did some good things'.
by golanbatrac on Jul 27, 2011 12:10 AM EDT up reply actions
There it is. Agree.
Dawgs by Nature -- where Hitler, apparently, 'did some good things'.
by golanbatrac on Jul 27, 2011 12:22 AM EDT up reply actions
And Benard is actually the bigger of the two (by 23 lbs)
no he isn’t
by The Licensed Pessimist on Jul 27, 2011 12:13 AM EDT up reply actions
MB listed weight = 256
Edwards listed weight = 268
by The Licensed Pessimist on Jul 27, 2011 12:14 AM EDT up reply actions
Wikipedia the infallible has Benard at 270. No matter, I did the math wrong. Benard has Edwards by 12 lbs.
Dawgs by Nature -- where Hitler, apparently, 'did some good things'.
by golanbatrac on Jul 27, 2011 12:21 AM EDT up reply actions
Wikipedia also lists his height at 6-4.
MB is number 58, does that man look 5 inches taller and 70 pounds heavier than Joe Haden?
Yahoo lists them at what I put
by The Licensed Pessimist on Jul 27, 2011 12:30 AM EDT up reply actions
Hell, the coach has 5 and 70 on him.
Dawgs by Nature -- where Hitler, apparently, 'did some good things'.
by golanbatrac on Jul 27, 2011 12:55 AM EDT up reply actions
Benard, 6’2" 256 lbs.
Edwards, 6’5" 270 lbs.
Yvan Eht Nioj.
by Brownsbacker488 on Jul 27, 2011 1:15 AM EDT up reply actions
And even though I think edwards is a little overrated, Benard got most if not all of his sacks on all out blitzes. He’ll be expected to get to the QB on his own accord playing every down in the 4-3
by The Licensed Pessimist on Jul 27, 2011 12:16 AM EDT up reply actions
benard also may not be a 3-4 player. He is smaller than Freeney but doesn’t have the skills of freeney. It remains to be seen what he can do in a new D.
I teach good life choices. That’s why I almost didn’t graduate High School.
Intensive Purposes? I could care less...
your whole argument is a fallacy!
Bernard quoted on browns.com, “4-3 system…known my whole life. Don’t know if they’ll line me up at LB or DE. Dont matter. Just hope I dont line up across from you.”
*DNHs' disclaimer: The above comments are not necessarily representative of the opinions of other DBN members (In fact, they are probably the exact opposite). Also let it be known, that IMO applies to all comments posted by this member.
by DawgsNHawgs on Jul 27, 2011 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions
Games Started
Dawgs By Nature - Covering the Cleveland Browns on SB Nation.
by Chris Pokorny on Jul 27, 2011 8:44 AM EDT up reply actions
Goats sacrificed.
(If all the nachos are stuck together, it only counts as one nacho.)
by North Coast Flea on Jul 28, 2011 2:11 AM EDT up reply actions
If we get Nick Barnett and Kiwanuka I’ll be happy
by The Licensed Pessimist on Jul 27, 2011 12:38 AM EDT reply actions
Nick Barnett is a good option since i’ve heard he’ll be released by Green Bay, and that’s not because i’m biased since we share the same last name. he’s always been the rock in that D, but now that they’ve got our golden boy that some douche bag decided not to draft the Packers just don’t need him.
Yvan Eht Nioj.
by Brownsbacker488 on Jul 27, 2011 1:19 AM EDT up reply actions
I also think the Packers’ cap situation can’t be great.
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
well from what i’ve heard Nick is still under contract so he’s one of those bubble guys they might have to cut or trade just to save cap space.
Yvan Eht Nioj.
by Brownsbacker488 on Jul 27, 2011 8:49 AM EDT up reply actions
lmao.
The Packers seem to be able to close their eyes and pin the tail on any LB and they become pro-bowl material. Amazing FO
by The Licensed Pessimist on Jul 27, 2011 1:26 AM EDT up reply actions
you know, through all of this FA talk, do you think it’s possible a player could change their mind about the team that’s publicly known they’ve agreed to? no one is signing contracts just yet, so it would be interesting to see if by Friday some of these guys change their minds. i’m not thinking of anyone in particular, just the concept of the news story would make headlines big time.
Yvan Eht Nioj.
by Brownsbacker488 on Jul 27, 2011 8:50 AM EDT reply actions
Doubt It
Dawgs By Nature - Covering the Cleveland Browns on SB Nation.
by Chris Pokorny on Jul 27, 2011 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I want to rec this. But then it’s an image of Carlos Boozer.
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
by rufio on Jul 27, 2011 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
I’m trying to step up my street cred in Green With Envy. Rec it or pay the price.
Dawgs By Nature - Covering the Cleveland Browns on SB Nation.
by Chris Pokorny on Jul 27, 2011 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Good move by the Titans. Hasselbeck will be a huge asset for Locker to learn from.
"They kept throwing it at me. I don’t know why. They just kept trying, and I just kept knocking it down." -- Joe Haden
Even better move for the Browns. DDodged a bullet.
Dawgs by Nature -- where Hitler, apparently, 'did some good things'.
by golanbatrac on Jul 27, 2011 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
So excited, I’m stuttering.
Dawgs by Nature -- where Hitler, apparently, 'did some good things'.
by golanbatrac on Jul 27, 2011 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
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