Daily Dawg Chow (2/21/12)

by Jon @ DBN on Feb 21, 2012 6:30 AM EST

Cleveland Browns:

"This week's NFL combine is about much more than Robert Griffin III" (News-Herald) - In some NFL Combine related news, Jeff Schudel of The News-Herald explores some of the players to watch other than just RG3.
"Heckert on hot seat" (Canton Rep) - Steve Doerschuk of The Canton Repository looks at the Browns' roster as well as the starters before and after Pat Shurmur's arrival. Doerschuk concludes that Heckert is on the hot seat.
"NFL Free Agency: The Browns and the cost of franchising" (WFNY) - Craig Lyndall discusses the cost for the Browns to franchise tag D’Qwell Jackson or even Peyton Hillis.
"Improvement at QB is complicated for Browns" (FS Ohio) - Pat McManamon offers yet another perspective on the Browns' QB situation.
"Podcast: Will McCoy remain Browns' QB?" (AFC North Blog) - If you're a fan of Mike and Mike In the Morning, you might have heard their "Two-A-Days" segment before. They cover the Browns in under three minutes.

NFL:

"AP source: Chiefs, Routt reach 3-yr, $19.6M deal" (AP via Yahoo! Sports) - The Kansas City Chiefs have reportedly agreed to terms on a $19.6 million, three-year deal with CB Stanford Routt.
"QB Drew Brees, Saints remain at loggerheads in contract talks" (SportingNews) - It's surprising that such an obvious move for both sides has yet to be concluded.
"Nicks likely to get tag if Brees deal finished in time" (PFT) - In related news, the Saints need to finalize the Brees contract so they can move on to franchising G Carl Nicks.
"Hutchinson faces possible release as Vikings turn to youth" (AP via NFL.com) - Steve Hutchinson discusses how he understands that he may end up being cut by the Minnesota Vikings.

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Comments

I really liked that FSO link. Not sure what the Browns will do, but whether or not they sign Flynn will be a huge factor in deciding what we’ll see happen on draft day.

Even if they do take Flynn, though, there’s still the big question about how they handle that #4 pick. Not sure if Blackmon would be worth trading up for, but if he’s gone by #4, should we trade down or take the best available option?

"Tracers work both ways" ~US Army Ordnance

by roar888 on Feb 21, 2012 7:13 AM EST reply actions

Blackmon isn’t worth trading up for, he’s already a reach at #4 and H&H don’t take high pick WRs as it is.

by HenryDawg on Feb 21, 2012 10:17 AM EST up reply actions

Blackmon is definitely not worth trading up for, but I don’t think he’s a reach at No. 4, assuming he nails down the interview process and isn’t a prima donna type.

by Jon @ DBN on Feb 21, 2012 10:22 AM EST up reply actions

stop making up words.

Has anyone really been far even as decided to use even go want to do look more like?

by pwndabear on Feb 21, 2012 7:34 AM EST reply actions

Which made-up words are you referring to here?

"Tracers work both ways" ~US Army Ordnance

by roar888 on Feb 21, 2012 7:54 AM EST up reply actions

I don’t understand how is Heckert on the hot seat? I thought everybody loved him?

by PaduaDSP on Feb 21, 2012 8:03 AM EST reply actions

I think it just means that this is a critical year where he needs to perform. I agree, but that doesn’t mean I don’t like him or think he can’t handle it.

"Tracers work both ways" ~US Army Ordnance

by roar888 on Feb 21, 2012 8:20 AM EST up reply actions

to me the only guy on any kind of seat that is even remotely warm should be Pat Shurmur. Guy looked completely lost and overmatched for long stretches of his first season as a head coach. Hopefully he can grow and develop but right now to me he is this teams second biggest problem right behind finding a franchise QB.

by PaduaDSP on Feb 21, 2012 9:16 AM EST up reply actions

I think its more that all the attention is on him rather than being on a hot seat to get fired. Hell the guy is by far the best GM we’ve had since 99.

by HenryDawg on Feb 21, 2012 10:18 AM EST up reply actions

He’s the best one since the Martyball years.

A bargain is something you don't need at a price you can't resist....
If I agreed with you we'd both be wrong!
My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-bitch!
Once you start agreeing with TDSH, you know that you're wrong.

by J. W. on Feb 21, 2012 10:49 AM EST up reply actions

If Heckert were on the Hot Seat, I just got my ticket to become the next Pope. Heckert & Holmgren have done a fabulous job in adding real talent to this team, that was very devoid of talent. They will continue to add quality talent IMO, and the Browns will become a force to be reckoned with in the NFL once again.

by J. W. on Feb 21, 2012 10:33 AM EST up reply actions

I agree, the only thing that can stop it is if we run these guys out of town prematurely.

by HenryDawg on Feb 21, 2012 10:36 AM EST up reply actions 4 recs

That is truly a depressing thought.

"Tracers work both ways" ~US Army Ordnance

by roar888 on Feb 21, 2012 10:47 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

I believe that after reading the interview with Randy Lerner, our current front office has 3 to 4 more years to improve the team. Our record from last year stunk, but we actually showed improvements all around. Two more solid drafts and smart free agent pick ups, the Browns will be duking it out with the best of the AFC & our own division.

by J. W. on Feb 21, 2012 10:53 AM EST up reply actions

We better be. I’d love to see some more Bengals games get blacked out here in Cincy so I can watch the Browns instead.

"Tracers work both ways" ~US Army Ordnance

by roar888 on Feb 21, 2012 10:58 AM EST up reply actions

we run these guys out of town prematurely.

We’re not going to run them out of town whether we wanted to or not. That’s 100% on Randy Lerner. If Randy Lerner ends up giving into the Cleveland media and disgruntled fans than that’s entirely on Randy Lerner.

by Jon @ DBN on Feb 21, 2012 11:11 AM EST up reply actions

Sort of, but in the end its just a business that caters to customers like any other. The fans and media could actually try to behave responsibly and realistically sometimes.

by HenryDawg on Feb 21, 2012 4:49 PM EST up reply actions

I understand your criticism, but the buck stops with Randy Lerner.

by Jon @ DBN on Feb 21, 2012 4:55 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, that’s BS. The notion that he’s on the hot seat, I mean.

Steel Nick

by nickjs21 on Feb 21, 2012 11:35 AM EST up reply actions

"This week's NFL combine is about much more than Robert Griffin III"

…except for Cleveland Brown’s fans!

by Boston Browns on Feb 21, 2012 9:23 AM EST via mobile reply actions

I am curious about the RTs in particular. George Warhop said they don’t like Tackles with arms less than 34". There are a lot of good RT prospects and I’m curious to see if any fit his ideal RT measurements.

by HenryDawg on Feb 21, 2012 10:20 AM EST up reply actions

If I wasn’t in my 40’s now, I’d qualify. I played ORT on offense and DLT in high school and college (1year – I liked the parties better than going to class – what 18 year old wouldn’t?) 6’5", 290 (back then it was my playing weight) 36 1/2" wingspan, and I could bench 380 all day. Now, I breath hard on my trip to the fridge for a cold beer and chips.

by J. W. on Feb 21, 2012 10:57 AM EST up reply actions

You’re still in better health then Pashos – get your ass to Berea!

by HenryDawg on Feb 21, 2012 4:50 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

The article on Heckert is completely inaccurate, which surprises me because Doerschuk normally does a pretty good job. He acts like Heckert only had one offseason, and completely neglects the year before that. He lists people acquired by Heckert under the Mangini list: Gocong, Haden, Ward. He leaves out a number of starters: Pinkston, Sheldon Brown, Mitchell, Norwood, Lauvao, and Watson. Even if some of those guys are replaced this season, that’s 14 new starters. In two seasons. That doesn’t even mention the depth Heckert has brought in.

Then, there’s the contradiction. Doerschuk slams Heckert for only bringing in five new starters in one offseason, but earlier in the piece says it’s unrealistic to expect more than six new starters any given year.

"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools" -Hemingway

by notthatnoise on Feb 21, 2012 9:50 AM EST reply actions 3 recs

The list was titled:

The Browns’ only likely 2012 starters who were on the team when Eric Mangini was the head coach 14 months ago:

Gocong, Haden, and Ward fit in that.
That’s a good point on some of the others missing you mentioned.

by Jon @ DBN on Feb 21, 2012 10:31 AM EST up reply actions

I know that part wasn’t technically inaccurate, but I think he presents it in a way that makes it seem like Heckert had nothing to do with it. He lumps those guys in as “Mangini guys” when they were added by Heckert.

"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools" -Hemingway

by notthatnoise on Feb 21, 2012 11:59 AM EST up reply actions

I agree what you’re saying, other than the “Mangini guys” part. The only time he ever mentions Mangini is as the head coach 14 months ago.

by Jon @ DBN on Feb 21, 2012 12:03 PM EST up reply actions

Mitchell

CHAMPIONSHIP!

Dawgs by Nature -- where Montario Hardesty, apparently, 'did some good things'.

by North Coast Flea on Feb 21, 2012 1:25 PM EST up reply actions

Right, Heckert, the best GM we’ve had since post-99, Holmgren’s #1 man (who has an exceptionally difficult time firing high up personnel), the man who single handedly fleeced the Falcons… is on the hot seat.

Didn’t read article. Not going to bother.

XBL - TheRabbit087. Get at me.

by SpecialBrownie on Feb 21, 2012 10:04 AM EST reply actions

Right, Heckert, the best GM we’ve had since post-99, Holmgren’s #1 man (who has an exceptionally difficult time firing high up personnel), the man who single handedly fleeced the Falcons… is on the hot seat.

I was thinking the same thing when I saw the headline. But it was an interesting look focused on how we the Browns still need to improve.

by Jon @ DBN on Feb 21, 2012 10:25 AM EST up reply actions

I agree, it’s more about the critical areas that need addressed. The focus is more on the team’s issues than Heckert’s being on the hot seat.

"Tracers work both ways" ~US Army Ordnance

by roar888 on Feb 21, 2012 10:32 AM EST up reply actions

Right, the headline choice is probably just an attention grabber. Something like “Browns need to improve” doesn’t set itself apart in anyway even though it would apply just as well to the article.

by Jon @ DBN on Feb 21, 2012 11:08 AM EST up reply actions

I’ll read, I’m in a laughing mood.

by Bumblyjack on Feb 21, 2012 10:26 AM EST up reply actions

Did we franchise DQ this morning? I could have sworn I heard Mike and Mike say it this morning. Not sure if I was dreaming. I was all doped up on NyQuil fighting my stomach flu from yesterday.

by Brownie's Year on Feb 21, 2012 12:42 PM EST reply actions