Game 1 - UA at UCF

[GoZips]

IMHO: The Browns will continue to suck because their draft game plan has been the same since 1999. That is; they continue to

draft with the foolish idea that they can hit a home run by drafting a quarterback. Win now has long been their philosophy.

Simply will not work. A team has to have most of the necessary pieces in place in order to win regularly. Terry Bowden laid

out his plan to resurrect the Zips on day one. Lose big, lose small, win small, win big and keep on winning big. How? By

recruiting (draft in the pros), coach your talent (hint: Bess and Little), play conservative ball with a wrinkle now and then.

Sadly, for the Browns fans, they do not incorporate any of this philosophy. Its all win now, win now, win now while the sorry

coaching staff flounders. No Super Bowl for the Browns any time soon. Hiring Coach Crudnick was as stupid a move as any

made by the sorry Clowns. Go Panthers. Love any team that has two former Zips on its roster.

[Balsy]

IMHO: The Browns will continue to suck because their draft game plan has been the same since 1999. That is; they continue to

draft with the foolish idea that they can hit a home run by drafting a quarterback. Win now has long been their philosophy.

Simply will not work. A team has to have most of the necessary pieces in place in order to win regularly. Terry Bowden laid

out his plan to resurrect the Zips on day one. Lose big, lose small, win small, win big and keep on winning big. How? By

recruiting (draft in the pros), coach your talent (hint: Bess and Little), play conservative ball with a wrinkle now and then.

Sadly, for the Browns fans, they do not incorporate any of this philosophy. Its all win now, win now, win now while the sorry

coaching staff flounders. No Super Bowl for the Browns any time soon. Hiring Coach Crudnick was as stupid a move as any

made by the sorry Clowns. Go Panthers. Love any team that has two former Zips on its roster.

Though I might be a minority here, I do think the Browns are headed in the right direction. I'm shocked that anyone is outraged that the Browns are 4-10...I knew that was going to happen when they traded Richardson. That was reaffirmed when Brian Hoyer was injured.

The fact of the matter is, the Brows have a good defense, they have a LOUSY offense. Any fan out there who tries to put any of the losses on the defense in insane. Yes they folded when they needed to hold most, but the defense shouldn't have been put in half the positions that they were my the inept offense.

I've been a browns fans since 99, (before then I was too young to remember the browns...6 years old) And I know how much it hurts, how angry I am that nothing has changed. However I DO NOT believe the Browns will never turn it around. With a 3rd string QB, the Browns were in contention with ALL the players they currently have. Bess, Little were both effective when the ball was spread around.

Cleveland needs a QB that can go through the progressions, and a running game that is respectable.

Can ANYONE really say that they are surprised at this year's outcome? No. 1 RB traded (actually seems to be a good deal) Best RB prospect (Dion Lewis) out before the season begins...There is a lot to this Cleveland Browns Team that should not be overlooked, that DID NOT exist in previous years.

[Dr Z]

The Browns will continue to suck because their draft game plan has been the same since 1999. That is; they continue to

draft with the foolish idea that they can hit a home run by drafting a quarterback. Win now has long been their philosophy.

So what is the plan then, stay with the current QBs and draft around them? Sign a free agent QB? Who? Trade for one? Who? Drafting a QB has worked for the Ravens, Giants, Packers, Steelers, Patriots, etc. Just because you are bad at a plan, doesn't make the plan bad. Winning now is an NFL philosophy, teams are so mediocre (some like the term parity here) in todays game, it's fairly easy to turn around a franchise in one year, this year's example is the Chiefs.

I'm with you on the Panthers. NFC road to the SB will be BRUTAL. Reminds me of the 2005 AFC road to the SB, brutal, but once that team gets there, should be a fairly easy win.

[akzipper]

Not to get off track and make this a "Browns thread" but I feel that they've been in the "lose small" phase for a long time. For most of the games the past two years they have had leads in the second half, only to blow it. The defense may have talent, but they don't make stops when they need to. Specifically on 3rd down and late in the 4th quarter. I mean, they gave up a hail mary touchdown on 3rd and long against the Bears. Good defenses don't do that!

I don't think the Browns try to hit a homerun by drafting a QB, because they never make the "exciting" pick. They never get the Cam Newton, RG3, Luck, Russell Wilson type QB's. They try to overthink the position and get a steal. Guys like Frye, Quinn, McCoy, and Weeden. Right now I put Bortles in that same group. He may win some games but he'll never be the reason a team wins the Superbowl.

[Dr Z]

I don't think the Browns try to hit a homerun by drafting a QB, because they never make the "exciting" pick. They never get the Cam Newton, RG3, Luck, Russell Wilson type QB's. They try to overthink the position and get a steal. Guys like Frye, Quinn, McCoy, and Weeden. Right now I put Bortles in that same group. He may win some games but he'll never be the reason a team wins the Superbowl.

Here is an opinion on Bortles

Bortles has a big, strong frame, which suggests he will be relatively durable. That strength coupled with his surprisingly quick feet helps him avoid sacks and make plays on the move. He does a terrific job of keeping his eyes down field and loses almost nothing throwing on the run to his right or left. I don’t think I’ve seen a right-handed quarterback throw better going to his left. The arm strength is there, and he can make NFL caliber throws. When his footwork is precise and he steps into his throws he can look elite. He’s shown flashes of making “window” throws and touch passes over defenders.

Anyone remember Bortles first play against Akron?

PS I still say playing the quality schedule we played this year is going to make the Zips a better team next year. A good example was Bortles, will we play a better pocket QB next year?

PSS Exciting pick? Russell Wilson was a third round pick. That's exciting? The Seahawks were so excited when they picked him, they had just signed (3/$25) Matt Flynn.

[Hilltopper]

Bortles reminds of a certain guy from a midmajor who has done pretty well in the NFL. Big Ben

[LZIp]

The Browns have most of the pieces in place. QB and RB are what need upgraded (PS- dont spend a top 3 pick on a RB), as well as probably ILB on defense. Don't tell me it isn't possible to go from trash to an elite team from 1 year to the next. Look no farther than the Chiefs. I can't believe Bess and Little were referred to as "talent" and Gordon not. Gordon has potential to be the next best WR in the league behind CJ.

[UA1987]

I'd like Bortles as a Browns pick in the second, third, or fourth round. I'd also give Jordon Lynch a try, even though he's only 6 ft, with a later pick. I'm convinced you don't take skill ego head case players with a high pick as you have pay them too much and they carry too much injury risk and baggage. If I was the Browns GM I would continue to load up on the offensive line and defense with high picks and take skill players later that are still very good and not crazy, unless there is the 'one' with his head on straight jumping out at you.

[zippy5]

his head on straight jumping out at you.

sounds scary

[UA1987]

sounds scary

I write not for the faint of heart. Kidding - your reply was funny.

[Captain Kangaroo]

Most mocks have Cleveland taking Bortles or Derek Carr at #7. Both would be awful and probably not even worth a high 1st round pick. So very typical Browns draft picks!

So who would be a great pick? A sure-fire pick at #7 that you would be excited and optimistic about?

[UA1987]

If I was picking for the Browns it would go something like this in order of picks:

CJ Mosley - ILB

Justin Gilbert - CB

Zach Martin - OG

Marion Grice - RB

Martavius Bryant - WR

Jimmy Garapolo - QB

Keith Wenning - QB

Christian Bryant - SS

Michael Schofield - ROT

[Balsy]

If I was picking for the Browns it would go something like this in order of picks:

CJ Mosley - ILB

Justin Gilbert - CB

Zach Martin - OG

Marion Grice - RB

Martavius Bryant - WR

Jimmy Garapolo - QB

Keith Wenning - QB

Christian Bryant - SS

Michael Schofield - ROT

I actually like this ALOT. This plan is using the picks exactly how the Browns need them. There have been way too many lost 1st round potential searching for "The One"...always to strikeout in the end.

[MaxZIP]

I actually like this ALOT. This plan is using the picks exactly how the Browns need them. There have been way too many lost 1st round potential searching for "The One"...always to strikeout in the end.

This time around the Browns actually have top talent at WR and TE. Previous top QB picks didn't stand a chance. Still missing a RB but you could do both in the off season.

[UA1987]

I actually like this ALOT. This plan is using the picks exactly how the Browns need them. There have been way too many lost 1st round potential searching for "The One"...always to strikeout in the end.

I'd also see if I could workout two Zips - Malachi Freeman and Moses McCray (maybe others: Presley, Caponi, James, Demhasaj, and Pughsley) to see if they would make the grade as free agents

[LZIp]

This time around the Browns actually have top talent at WR and TE. Previous top QB picks didn't stand a chance. Still missing a RB but you could do both in the off season.

Agree with this. There is plenty of evidence that you don't even need to spend a high pick on a RB (even probably better off not). Weeden was a reach. McCoy was drafted in the 3rd round. Let's draft a true first round talent at QB and worry about this again in another 10-15 years. This isn't the old regime. The guy in charge now is the guy who was in charge for the Eagles in the 2000s when they were in the playoffs every year and made the NFC Championship in what seemed like every year. He knows what he is doing.

[Buckzip]

QB

ILB

RB

OL

CB

Safety

That's just for starters.

QB is tough to pick. Their aren't many Andrew Lucks out there.

[Dr Z]

Popular subject...all of a sudden.

PS Walterfootball.com has Bortles going #4 overall. Browns might have to trade up to land him.

[LZIp]

Popular subject...all of a sudden.

PS Walterfootball.com has Bortles going #4 overall. Browns might have to trade up to land him.

That's interesting. I was on Walterfootball not even three weeks ago looking to see where they had QBs ranked, and Bortles wasn't even listed in the top 30 or whatever it is they do.Link here I'm not saying I wouldn't be favorable of taking Bortles (IMO, its a crap shoot after Teddy), just that all of the love seems to be coming out of nowhere.

A WR that just awes me with some amazing catch every game I watch is Kelvin Benjamin (RSoph) out of FSU.

[Dr Z]

Todd McShay released his first mock. He has Bortles going #3 overall.

I wonder how many folks know that Bortles beat Bridgewater in Louisville (#8 team in the country at the time) back in October?

[akzipper]

Todd McShay released his first mock. He has Bortles going #3 overall.

I wonder how many folks know that Bortles beat Bridgewater in Louisville (#8 team in the country at the time) back in October?

Brandon Weeden beat Luck and RG3 (in College)

Colt McCoy beat Tom Brady and Drew Brees (in the NFL)

Just saying...

[Dr Z]

Brandon Weeden beat Luck and RG3 in college

That's a point. Bortles had an awesome offensive line. Best the Zips played against. Getting four sacks on him shows how well our defensive front was playing at times this year. UFC also had a power running game to help support too. I can still remember the scouting report on Weeden coming out of college, it held pretty true to what he has shown in the pros. Bortles scouting report is much more complete. Almost opposite in some spots (throws well out of the pocket, keeps eyes down field). The two will be drafted for different reasons.

PS Your analogy reminds me of the stat they used to repeat over an over on KNR back when Couch played. "Troy Aikman's first season was comparable to his." They had every Browns fan repeating that for years. I can always tell when I talk football with people that listen to local sports talk. I'm guessing the Weedon phrase has been repeated more than once on local airwaves. Thank gawd I don't have to listen to local drivel anymore.

[UA1987]

The only way you go high up in the draft after a college QB and expect him to start as a rookie is if your team is solid - everywhere but at that position. Do the Brown's have holes to fill in this draft - yes - so no QB in the 1st round. Draft day flow chart.

[zippy5]

Interesting theory. So pass on a franchise QB since the rest of the team stinks.

[UA1987]

Interesting theory. So pass on a franchise QB since the rest of the team stinks.

Pass on a college QB that will be a rookie is more like it zippy. Young QB's on struggling teams get injured (run too much), lose their confidence, ability to think quickly (concussions), and lose their throwing touch. These are not good things. You could draft your top QB now, but he would have to sit or fail on the current version of the Browns. You can't waste a first round pick to sit on the bench. He has to play.