Cleveland Browns Acquire DT Brodrick Bunkley from Eagles, OG John Greco from Rams
by Chris Pokorny on Jul 30, 2011 11:03 PM EDT
in General News
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PrintIt was a busy day for the Cleveland Browns. After having their first closed training camp practice session of the season this morning, the front office was busy making deals with teams they were formerly affiliated with.
As fans already discussed earlier today, the big move was the Browns acquiring former first-round defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley from the Philadelphia Eagles. In exchange, Cleveland shipped a fifth-round pick in the 2012 draft to the Eagles. Bunkley was touted highly in 2006 when the Eagles drafted him at No. 16 overall, but he has basically been a bust in terms of being the dominant player the team hoped he would be. He hasn't been a complete wash though, and is a very serviceable depth player. I'm not sure if you could ask for a more ideal type of guy to be in a three-man rotation at the defensive tackle position with Phil Taylor and Ahtyba Rubin.
The Tom Heckert connection likely played a factor in Bunkley coming to Cleveland. He'll be a person who helps Cleveland stop the run, something he's done well in Philadelphia. JasonB from our Eagles affiliate had this to say about Bunkley:
Never developed into the player people hoped, but not a bad player. I’d say he’s an average NFL DT. Doesn’t really provide anything in terms of penetration, but doesn’t really get moved off his spot either. Holds the point of the attack well, solid rotational player. [Click here for other Eagles fans reaction at Bleeding Green Nation]
Well done, Heckert. As for the other trade the Browns made, it looks like they acquired former St. Louis Rams offensive guard John Greco. Guess who he played for last year? Pat Shurmur. The news was revealed by Jim Thomas, reporter for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
League sourcesconfirm that guard john greco has been traded to browns by rams. Terms undisclosed.less than a minute ago via txt 
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Jim Thomas
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With the Browns re-signing Billy Yates this morning but there being no news on veteran guard Floyd Womack, it sounds like Greco could very well be taking Womack's spot. Greco was a third-round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft by the Rams, so he's definitely still young. At 6-4, 329 lbs, he is considered a good run blocker and was born in Youngstown, Ohio. He also plays the offensive tackle position.
Greco has not started much in his career (only four games in three years), but Pro Football Focus graded him highly last season:
Weirdly, the one Ram who really impressed us last year was one who saw only 153 snaps, John Greco. Unfortunately the rest of the guys were less impressive. Jason Brown has yet to go any way toward earning that big deal he got, and recent high draft pick tackles are far from impressive. They have some talent and potential, but if it doesn’t show up on the field it’s not much use.
Terms of the trade have not yet been disclosed, so we'll wait and see who/what the Browns gave up. Two good depth moves by the front office. The moves might not make national headlines, but if it means we don't see a huge dropoff when our starters need a breather, then it is what builds solid football teams.
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Browsing through that whole Bleeding Green Nation thread was very amusing.
"I want my unwarranted optimism back." -Dilbert
Dear God,
Thank you for having the decency to have me born a Brown’s fan so I don’t have go to fansites covered in jew-jokes and lewd pictures, as well as giving me a reason to drink.
Amen.
Only thing manlier than football? Ponies.
by BrownDawg1409 on Jul 30, 2011 11:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Says the guy who posts ponies everywhere
"It is unlikely that anyone has ever read Nietzsche or Derrida and has been inspired to open a soup kitchen"
by troy145 on Jul 30, 2011 11:50 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
I’ve learned my lesson. With great ponies comes a great responsiblity not to abuse them everytime someone hates on me for it.
Only thing manlier than football? Ponies.
by BrownDawg1409 on Jul 31, 2011 2:10 AM EDT up reply actions
I try to stay away from that site, but their popularity is growing…
by lightninmcqueen on Jul 31, 2011 12:04 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I love the way they are already celebrating their Superbowl win! I’m sure this was the way the Heat fans must have acted!
by ctowndawgpound on Jul 31, 2011 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions
Hey Chris, you can delete my Fanpost over there. I only made it so you could see it. You didn’t have anything up there yet so I thought I’d give you a “heads up.”
No problem, thanks. I had been writing about both deals for awhile (along with listening to the Tribe trades on the radio), so I hadn’t checked the sidebar to see if anything was posted in the mean time (otherwise I would’ve attributed a hat tip).
Dawgs By Nature - Covering the Cleveland Browns on SB Nation.
by Chris Pokorny on Jul 30, 2011 11:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Browns fans, I know many of you will be like F this hippie shite, but I’m not a hippie but I do believe in the power of mental visualization to produce physical results. I see a new Browns organization that is full of hope, promise and excellence. Lets all please try to wrap our minds around a visual that has our team going to the playoffs and moving through them to the Super Bowl. Lose the pessimism, lose the fear and just focus and visualize us holding the sterling Tiffany trophy. Just try it please. What do you have to lose?
An avatar. Just ask BK19.
Only thing manlier than football? Ponies.
by BrownDawg1409 on Jul 30, 2011 11:34 PM EDT up reply actions
What do you have to lose?
Our sanity
by emily522 on Jul 30, 2011 11:35 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
The Vince Lombardi Trophy has been made by Tiffany every year so yes, it’s a “Tiffany trophy.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vince_Lombardi_Trophy
I’m all for the power of positive thinking however a little reality check is in order. This Browns team is still building for the future however I do hope they catch a couple teams off-guard this year for upset wins.
That’s exactley how i’m thinking.. I’m thinking we go 8-8 or 9-7 maybe clinch wildcard but i’m not expecting much.. But in the next 2-3 years we could really contend, like getting all thos draft picks from atlanta will really help
by lightninmcqueen on Jul 31, 2011 1:12 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
If you’re thinking .500 in a rebuilding year I think you will be let down.
(If all the nachos are stuck together, it only counts as one nacho.)
by North Coast Flea on Jul 31, 2011 1:23 AM EDT up reply actions
It’s only three games better then last year? With a much easier scedule, and much better team.. It’s very possible.
by lightninmcqueen on Jul 31, 2011 2:15 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Colt for one should be improved. if he can stay consistently good and healthy that will go a long way toward creating success because we’ve never had that in Cleveland since 99.
Yvan Eht Nioj.
by Brownsbacker488 on Jul 31, 2011 9:16 AM EDT up reply actions
The key words there are “should” and “if”. At this point there is no way anyone can say for sure that we are a better team and we just changed schemes on both sides of the ball. Anyone claiming we are a better team is going off of pure optimism that I envy at this point. Although I don’t envy the eventual letdown they may face.
(If all the nachos are stuck together, it only counts as one nacho.)
by North Coast Flea on Jul 31, 2011 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions
I’ll say it: No Mangini, no Daboll. We are better already.
*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.
Rookie Head Coach, no OC. Oh yeah, we are so much better.
(If all the nachos are stuck together, it only counts as one nacho.)
by North Coast Flea on Aug 1, 2011 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions
Easier schedule, maybe, there is a lot of parity in the NFL. At this point last year we thought our first three games were going to be a cakewalk. As far as a “much better team”, you are kidding yourself. It’s not like we added Peyton Manning to the team or anything.
(If all the nachos are stuck together, it only counts as one nacho.)
by North Coast Flea on Jul 31, 2011 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions
better coached
Again, there is no way of knowing this.
(If all the nachos are stuck together, it only counts as one nacho.)
by North Coast Flea on Jul 31, 2011 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes, we don’t know that yet, but at least our coaches will be using a system which fits with our personnel — that’s an improvement right there.
by Buckeye Brad on Jul 31, 2011 10:07 PM EDT up reply actions
No system fits bad personnel. Also, our defense is likely to be populated by people who aren’t ideal for their position. We had 3-4 players, they don’t all fit a 4-3.
"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools" -Hemingway
I’m not sure what you mean by that first sentence. Our personnel this year isn’t any worse than last year; it’s probably better in most areas.
And I think most of the players who don’t fit the 4-3 are gone.
You said that our previous coaches weren’t using a system that fit our personnel. Not that I’m necessarily disagreeing with you, because they certainly did a lot of strange things, but no system fits terrible players.
"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools" -Hemingway
The coaches brought in have better resumes than those that went out. Thats good enough for me to claim “better coached”.
*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.
What do you base this on? Mangini had success as a head coach in NY and was moving things in the right direction here, Shurmur has never been a head coach at all.
Jauron and Rob Ryan are probably a push.
Daboll stinks, I’ll give you that.
Overall though, it’s a stretch to say the new staff is definitively better.
Resident Tim Couch Apologist.
I want to believe in this coaching staff and am one of their biggest supporters on here, but they definitely do not have the proven track record of the previous coaches. Even if you take the most pessimistic approach, mangini could prove he could have a winning season in the NFL.
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!
This isn’t true.
(If all the nachos are stuck together, it only counts as one nacho.)
by North Coast Flea on Aug 1, 2011 10:28 AM EDT up reply actions
KC got better partly because of the emergence of cassel and partly because their defense gelled. Tampa got better because of a drastic improvement in a rookie QB. we face the NFC west and there is only one team I can see this happening too, St. Louis. The rest are not as capable at breaking out as KC/TB were.
And even before that point, we had a top 10 hardest schedule while ours heading into 2011 is possibly in the top 10 easiest.
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!
Lose the pessimism, lose the fear and just focus and visualize us holding the sterling Tiffany trophy
I with you bro.
Vince Lombardi said it himself: Winning is a habit. Unfortunately, so is losing.
I’m definitely a believer, and the team needs the fans behind them – to put mind over matter and break the losing habit and take up winning.
Go, I say go away boy, you bother me.
by burntorangeandbrown on Jul 31, 2011 9:03 AM EDT up reply actions
The thing I have a hard time picturing is ESPN having to say “CLEVELAND WINS THE SUPERBOWL!”
by ctowndawgpound on Jul 31, 2011 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions
If ESPN can say “New Orleans wins the Super Bowl” they’ll find a way to market “Cleveland wins the Super Bowl!”
"I want my unwarranted optimism back." -Dilbert
Mention, yes. Market, doubtful.
My dog is a badass. His name is Kosar.
by Brownie's Year on Jul 31, 2011 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh, they’ll do it. They’ll do it while pretending they didn’t rip on the city for countless years.
You’re underestimating ESPN’s gall.
"I want my unwarranted optimism back." -Dilbert
All of this. I imagine they would use the curse to their marketing advantage, bringing up how many times we were right on the doorstep, only to lose it all. And then if they don’t have enough of that footage they’ll throw in some of our worst moments, like the 99 Browns, or last years’ Cavs.
(If all the nachos are stuck together, it only counts as one nacho.)
by North Coast Flea on Jul 31, 2011 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Exactly what I was thinking. That said, and as much as I truly loath ESPN, when Cleveland finally wins another world championship, I’m going to bask in all that glory. I’ll also be openly saying, “F*** you, ESPN, you’re not really on our side.”
"I want my unwarranted optimism back." -Dilbert
OT but womack is now a cardinal
by lightninmcqueen on Jul 30, 2011 11:38 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Thanks, I hadn’t caught that.
Dawgs By Nature - Covering the Cleveland Browns on SB Nation.
by Chris Pokorny on Jul 30, 2011 11:45 PM EDT up reply actions
No problem, looks like yet another brown has gone to Arizona.
by lightninmcqueen on Jul 30, 2011 11:50 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Per MKC the pick is a conditional 7th round pick. It only changes if he starts a certain amount of games
by lightninmcqueen on Jul 31, 2011 12:53 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
For the offensive linemen that is.
by lightninmcqueen on Jul 31, 2011 1:45 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I liked Greco
He wasn’t bad in limited action. Pretty good run blocker. Some questioned his dedication, but that a change of scenery might change that.
A conditional 7th is a bargain for potential starter. I won’t be surprised if he starts for the Browns.
"For Better or for Worse; 'Till Death Do Us Part"
GO RAMS !!!
I really like this guy. Could could be another fleecing by Heckert, though obviously not as much of an impact player as Hillis.
"I guess I shouldn't have started knocking people out." - Vickers
I believe that fleecing was at Mangini’s behest.
(If all the nachos are stuck together, it only counts as one nacho.)
by North Coast Flea on Jul 31, 2011 1:24 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
DawgsByNature – WherehitlerMangini apparently did some good things.
Only thing manlier than football? Ponies.
by BrownDawg1409 on Jul 31, 2011 2:11 AM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
Reports on him say he’s not good at pass protection. Apparently the Rams wanted to keep Bradford upright so he sat on the bench. See news sidebar an front page. Hardly an ideal quality in a Tackle.
by Aussie Brown on Jul 31, 2011 8:17 AM EDT up reply actions
Ryan Tucker was a master of pass protection. i don’t know who Greco is.
Yvan Eht Nioj.
by Brownsbacker488 on Jul 31, 2011 9:18 AM EDT up reply actions
He’s on the roster right before Roman.
"... you slay the chicken and you crack the egg ..." - Moon
by JustBob on Jul 31, 2011 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
(rimshot goes here)
(If all the nachos are stuck together, it only counts as one nacho.)
by North Coast Flea on Jul 31, 2011 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Wish we would stop this droppong down and shipping picks for spares stuff. You can celebrate all you want – but the fact of the matter is we could have signed that Okoye fron Texans for free. Has flashed just as much and is prolly 4 yrs younger.
Change isn't good or bad it just "is". Don Draper of Madmen
by realmccoy on Jul 31, 2011 11:52 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
If it were up to you we’d be the Cleveland Longhorns :)
Alcohol abuse and Cleveland sports fans: hand-in-hand since 1955.
Bunkley was a good pickup.He should make a nice rotational player or backup.He is still capable of helping in the run game,and most 5th rnd picks never make it.I don’t see how he couldn’t be worth a 5th rnd pick,especially when they need players who can play now,and I believe he’s better than any backup they have now.His contract is pretty friendly too.This team will be good soon,but they aren’t ready to spend big money yet.I believe there as good as last year or better, really in my opinion.Ward and Haden will have more experience,the DL is younger and stronger than last year,and if they get any help in the running game,and just a little better in the recieving game,they should be better.Colt should be healthier,and more mature.Just staying healthy all around should get them a couple more wins!Superbowl,I doubt ,playoffs slim chance,but I believe we should see enough inprovement to be real hopefull for the future of this franchise.I definitely think they are heading in the right direction.GO BROWNS!!! THE FUTURE IS LOOKING BRIGHTER,LET’S HAVE A LITTLE FAITH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah… he’s gone.
Classic mode button! =D
by SpecialBrownie on Aug 1, 2011 8:15 PM EDT up reply actions
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