BigTexas18
Hall of Famer
Free Agent Signings
- QB Kirk Cousins
- HB C.J. Anderson
- TE Ladarius Green
- LT Mike Adams
- LG Michael Ola
- C Ryan Cook
- RG Jeff Linkenbach
- LOLB Marquis Spruill
- FS Husain Abdullah (Signed Week 1 of Preseason)
2016 Draft Class
- CB Shakiel Gray 23 Years Old 78 Overall (1 19). Will start season at Quarter CB.
- DT Taz Brandon 22 Years Old 79 Overall (2 19). Will start season splitting time with Danny Shelton
- CB Rashard Thomas 23 Years Old 61 Overall (3 19). Will start season as KR. No designated CB spot at this time
- MLB Javonte France 22 Years Old 63 Overall (4 19). Will start season playing behind Craig Robertson at MLB #2 Spot. Will see time here and there in the season.
- WR Malcolm Cole 23 Years Old 66 Overall (5 19). Will see some time in certain packages, including red zone situations. Did not make 5 WR set.
- ROLB Margarito Griffin 21 Years old 67 Overall (6 19). Will see a little playing time this year behind Kruger. Getting set up to be next in line when a decision is made on Kruger.
- FS Russell Greco 22 Years Old 65 Overall (7 19). Cut week 4 of preseason.
Keys To Success
Pressure The QB
The Browns have to get pressure on the opposing QB's this year. They finished dead last in sacks last year with 19. We knew we had to address this problem, that's why we signed a ROLB in FA, and drafted a LOLB, MLB, and DT. If we do not get pressure on the QB we will get burned defensively. That showed last year as we finished last in sacks and gave up 3,600 yards through the air. Barkevious Mingo is in his contract year. While he led the team last year with 5.5 sacks, we expect more out of a player of his caliber, and he knows that. If he wants that big contract from us, he is going to have to perform this year. Expect him to have a huge year.
Protect Johnny
Johnny is still young and his potential is sky high. For us to tap into the full swing of that potential, he has to be protected. Johnny was sacked 29 times last year. That's too many for my liking. Not to mention he avoided a few sacks with his legs. The OLine has to step up. From our starting OLine here is who gave up these sacks from left to right. LT Joe Thomas (99) 2 sacks. LG Joel Bitonio (99) 5 sacks. C Alex Mack (95) 3 sacks. RG John Greco (86) 6. RT Cameron Erving (82) 8 sacks. You can see where the strength of the line lies. Between the three All Pro's 10 sacks were given up, as of the 2 on the right side of the line gave up 14 sacks. Erving is still a rookie and is finding his role and skill set, so we expect that number to drop. Regardless, this line must perform better this year and protect our QB.
Establish The Run
The run game wasn't terrible last year as we finished 8th in rush offense, but still left something to be desired. The browns did not tally a 1,000 yard rusher. Turbin finished at 957, and backup Isaiah Crowell finished at 278. Owner, Chris bigtex, went out and signed young breakout RB C.J. Anderson after the departure of Turbin, and Cleveland couldn't be more excited! If he performs like we expect him to you should see a big swing in the running game this year behind this All Pro line. Crowell will provide a great backup for Anderson and be another bruising runner and keep fresh legs on the field. While Duke may see some runs here and there, everyone knows his bread and butter is to provide that receiver out of the backfield!
Beat The Ravens
Rookie Preseason Stats
We did see some impressive stuff from our rookies, which gives us great hope for the upcoming years and depth. Here's how your rookies fared this year in preseason:
- 1st Round Pick CB Shakiel Gray 9 Tackles
- 2nd Round Pick DT Taz Brandon 3 Tackles 2 Sacks 50 Downs Played
- 3rd Round Pick CB Rashard Thomas 3 Tackles 1 Pass Deflection 40 Downs Played 2 KR 38 Yards 2 PR 30 Yards
- 4th Round Pick MLB Javonte France 11 Tackles 2 TFL 1 FMBR 80 Downs Played
- 5th Round Pick WR Malcolm Cole 13 Receptions 140 yards 1 TD
- 6th Round Pick ROLB Margarito Griffin 9 Tackles 3 TFL 1 Sack 167 Downs Played
Here Come The Browns
"Time To Take Off"
"Time To Take Off"