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Browns Pulsetm
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Toni Grossi's Browns Off Season Report |
After an offseason of soduku puzzles and Frazier reruns thanks to a complete lack of inactivity by the Browns front office, finally there is something to write about after the conclusion of the Browns activity in the 2014 draft.
Cleveland approaches the 2014 offseason with several long time veterans no longer with the team. Gone are WR's Quincy Morgan and Andre Davis, LB's Andra Davis and Irving Bryan, and CB Andre Woolfolk. While all these players were key members of the Browns over the years, the loss is mitigating as only Bryan played a significant role in 2013 as the Browns held on to the players rather than incurring a significant cap hit this year.
Therefore the 2014 draft was key as the Browns were looking to fill several positions. Let's look at the selections in order:
1. WR Patrick Sanders
After playing dink and dunk in the passing game for years, the Browns finally got a QB in Steve Atkins. However, what was missing was a deep threat. Now they have on in Sanders who is the fastest Brown receiver this reporter has seen. Sanders needs little work on getting off the line, but he makes up for it with a great pair of hands. Sanders will team with 1100 yard rookie receiver Dan Bender
2. C Raymont Aldridge
The pick of an offensive lineman by the Browns surprised most. However, with Jeff Faine having only a season or two at peak level, this pick makes sense. Given the Browns toyed with taking Aldridge in the first round, they felt compelled to snatch him up in the second. Quite frankly, I have trouble finding a hole in Aldridge's game even as a rookie
3. FS Marquise Carter
The Browns brought back FS Eugene Wilson on a one year deal, so Carter would look to inherit the position sometime late this year or next year. Carter is well rounded safety who possesses the one thing the Browns value in the secondary, namely a good set of hands.
4. DT Warren Quinn
I am not sure what happened here, because Quinn looks like a reach at this point. Other than his above average size, there is not much to write home about.
5. G Jeremy Van Dyke
Despite the fact that they don't need a guard, the Browns made up for the Quinn pick with Van Dyke who looks like a great insurance should a starter go down.
6. MLB Ted Randolph
Randolph will compete with several other players for the weak side ILB position. He has demonstrated the ability to move in the wrong direction extremely quick.
7. DE Robert Montgomery
The Browns were very surprised to see Montgomery hanging around in the 7th given his above average agility and quickness. Not a tremendous fit for the 3-4, but should provide some value in certain situations.
Key Browns for 2014
QB Steve Atkins
Atkins was hurt in 2012 and inconsistant in 2013. With a solid running game and and a new deep threat, the Browns need Atkins to step it up this year.
ILB Lamont Hunt
Hunt played very well in his first year as a starter. The big ILB needs to make another stride as he now assumes the top ILB spot with the departures of Davis and Bryan. |
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Forum Discussion
(by C_Phillips on 04/03/2008)
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Replies - 1 :: Views - 33 |
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At A Glance
| AFC North |
| RNK |
TEAM |
W-L-T |
PCT |
DIV |
| #2 |
 Steelers |
4-1-0 |
0.800 |
2-0 |
| #11 |
 Ravens |
4-1-0 |
0.800 |
2-1 |
| #20 |
 Browns |
2-3-0 |
0.400 |
1-2 |
| #31 |
 Bengals |
0-4-0 |
0.000 |
0-2 |
| BROWNS SCHEDULE |
| WK |
DATE |
OPPONENT |
TIME/RESULT |
| 1 |
Sun |
at  Falcons #8 |
|
| 2 |
Sun |
vs  Chargers #19 |
|
| 3 |
Sun |
vs Bengals #31 |
|
| 4 |
Sun |
at Steelers #2 |
|
| 5 |
Sun |
vs Ravens #11 |
|
| 6 |
Sun |
vs  Raiders #1 |
4:15pm |
| 7 |
Sun |
vs  Colts #18 |
1:00pm |
| 9 |
Mon |
at Ravens #11 |
9:00pm |
| 10 |
Sun |
vs Steelers #2 |
4:00pm |
| 11 |
Sun |
vs  Panthers #21 |
4:15pm |
| 12 |
Sun |
vs  Buccaneers #23 |
1:00pm |
| 13 |
Sun |
at  Broncos #32 |
4:15pm |
| 14 |
Sun |
at  Jets #4 |
1:00pm |
| 15 |
Sat |
at  Saints #16 |
8:30pm |
| 16 |
Sat |
at  Chiefs #26 |
1:00pm |
| 17 |
Sun |
at Bengals #31 |
4:15pm |
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#20 Cleveland Browns