Brownies off season report

[Pigskin]

The Browns were very active this off season. Continuing to deal with cap money problems, the Browns had to not only get rid of some good players with huge contracts, but find a way to replace the talent they would be losing and stay within the 15 mil cap penalty. After watching a lot of game film from last season the coaching staff also saw, that they had to get some better players as backups, because injuries and stamina hindered the defense in most of the games last season. The Browns started off the process by trading off one of the top running backs in the league in HB Gurley being sent to the Cardinals. Next the Browns shipped off WR Patterson to the Panthers , dumping another big contract along the way. With two top players remaining on the trade block in RG Carter and SS Jarrett and no teams showing any interest, the Browns had to release them to free agency, all the while picking up some important cap money heading toward the draft. Next the Browns had to decide what players they wanted to target in the draft, who could they afford, and where in each round did they want to make their picks. After looking over their situation the front office and coaching staff decided to go the trading route mostly, to pick up some talent with less contracts than they would have to negotiate with players agents through the draft. After their trade with the Cardinals for Gurley, the Browns now had the 1.2 and 1.7 picks in the first round of the draft. Knowing very well their cap money wasn't going to allow them to stay in that situation, they first traded their 1.7 pick to the Cowboys for their 1.25 (Colts), 1.28 (Cowboys), 3.10 (Lions). Next the Browns and Bears worked out an agreement, with the Browns sending their 1.2 pick for the Bears 1.21, LT Moton, a young, talented player who as a rookie last season proved himself with 102 pancakes and no sacks. Also included from the Bears was WR Thomas one of the top receivers last season, who made all pro with 48 catches for 1059 yrds, 10 td's, 22 yrd average. With this trade two positions of need were also filled. Next, after hearing a rumor that the Dolphins were wanting to shop HB Henry, the Browns were on the phones contacting the Miami brain trust. After some negotiations the Browns sent the 1.21 pick they had received from the Bears to the Dolphins for HB Henry, who is a very nice size running back 6'3" 242 lbs, 90 spd, 91 acc 93 agil, 25 yrs, with room to improve. Now the Browns needed a FB to block for Henry so after releasing their aging fullback, the Browns picked up FB Williams 24 yrs, 6'1" 260 lbs 81 spd, 76 str, 83 acc, 74 car, 82 btk, from the Panthers for Brown's 4.2 pick. After all the maneuvering , the dust cleared and the Browns had decided to draft at 1.25 (SS Shalom Lunai 88 ovr ), 1.28 (LOLB Damien Wilson 83 ovr ), 2.2 (DT Rod Joyner 88 ovr ), 3.2 (RE Ryan Russell 83 ovr ), 3.10( TE Jacob Hollister 86 ), 3.20 (FS London Franks 77 ). The Browns were satisfied with the rookies they drafted and some of the youth they got in the trades. After starting with - 29.05 million cap room, and after signing a free agent , traded players and draft picks the Browns are now finally back in the black at + 1.53 mil cap. Browns organization is now looking forward to the up coming season, and hopefully the Browns will improve over last season, and barring any major injuries , be competitive.
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[Dog Boy]

piggy I love what you done with browns,must hurt like fuck having to trade away studs like gurley and Patterson,but you had no choice and you have replaced them quite well.with Gordon out of contract next season hopefully browns can get back on level footing with rest of league and not have to make such moves just to get compliant.good job
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