The Cleveland Browns have been the laughing stock of the
league since they re-entered back in 99’ with just 2 winning seasons. They have
had 9 different coaches and 26 different Quarterbacks during that span. Current
coach, Hue Jackson is coming off his first full season where the Browns
finished 1-15. The record may show the same old story but I do think Jackson
has a chance to start this franchise on the right foot going into 2017. The
Browns have a few key players on the roster who look very promising. 2nd
year run stuffer, Danny Shelton had a great sophomore season and looks to be
even better in 2017. They also invested 2nd and 3rd round
picks in the 2016 draft in pass rushers, Emmanuel Ogbah and Carl Nassib who
hopefully can make the leap in production that Danny Shelton made in their sophomore
seasons. The nucleus of the defense is All-Pro CB Joe Haden who is signed through
2020. The Browns also have two Premier players in Linebacker, Jamie Collins and
Wide Receiver, Terrelle Pryor are set to hit free agency. The first key move
would be to sign Jamie Collins, whom they traded for during the season, giving
up a compensatory 3rd round pick to the New England Patriots in a
classic Belichick
move, which is getting rid of players a year too early rather than a year too
late. Collins
is best suited for a 4-3 scheme which is what newly hired defensive
coordinator, Gregg Williams will look to run in 2017. It has been reported that
Jamie Collins would like to stay in Cleveland and is asking for a Luke Kuechly-type
deal which would be worth $62M over 5yrs. The Browns have the most cap room in
the league at just over $47M, so even though Collins’ demands are a little high
for his services, the Browns do have the extra money to make a player want to
sign with a perennial losing team. On the offensive side of the ball, the
Browns have a lot more work to do with the current roster. 1st
rounder, Corey Coleman has the talent to be very successful in this league. The
run game was successful for the most part behind Isaiah Crowell and Duke
Johnson Jr. Crowell is also set to hit the open market. Outside of Cameron
Erving, the offensive line played well considering they were under duress most
of the time, which will happen when you have 6 different starting quarterbacks
in one season. The most productive Brown without a doubt was Terrelle Pryor.
Pryor had astonishing season totaling 1000 yards receiving on 77 catches with
4Tds. Pryor was a supplementary draft pick back in 2011 by the late, Al Davis
for the Oakland Raiders. Since then he has bounced around the league before
finding a home in Cleveland. Pryor has expressed feelings and desire to stay in
Cleveland, it is up to the owners if he does. The wise move would be to sign
the 27-year-old former Ohio St star to a multi-year contract that will roughly
command $7-$10M annually.
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