Ay-Ziggy-Zoomba.com

So far they've signed Josh Cribbs, Lance Moore, Larry Burt (DT From Miami), and Eric Mahl (LB from Kent).

These guys go along with Josh Harris & Charlie Frye

Would be sweet to see 'em grab a couple BG guys too

I don't like the Browns but I do like when they pick up MAC players, it makes it so much easier to follow players you care about.

According to MACBBS, someone named Kevin Carberry from Ohio U signed with Cleveland also.

hammb wrote:So far they've signed Josh Cribbs....

I hear he's already struck up a close "relationship" with William Green... I've gotta wonder though, with an athletic QB like Harris in the fold, might he or Cribbs be slated for a position other than behind center?

TG1996 wrote:

hammb wrote:So far they've signed Josh Cribbs....

I hear he's already struck up a close "relationship" with William Green... I've gotta wonder though, with an athletic QB like Harris in the fold, might he or Cribbs be slated for a position other than behind center?

Oh...Forgot to mention. Cribbs will be playing at WR. He said his agent is trying to talk them into getting him some snaps under center, but with a new system & 2 young QBs, don't look for it. Cribbs will get his shot at wideout and if he fails then so be it.

That agent has a lot of nerve, doesn't he? I guess I have to root for the Browns just to make the Sports section readable...but there was a lot of talk leading up to the draft about "character". So where does Cribbs rate on that dimension.

I think the back up QB will be a great contest. Although Frye has the makings of another "local boy makes good" story ala Bernie Kosar....he was after all a 3rd round draft pick...and one for a reason. Besides with the Browns penchant for putting their QB's on the run, and going to the 2 and 3 deep as the season progresses...who might stand a better chance of moving the ball?

Frye is OUTSTANDING throwing on the run, was probably his best asset at Akron. On top of that he actually timed a better 40 than Josh did as far as straightline speed. Of course Josh has a hard-nosed running style similar to an actual RB, so he's got that going for him.

I would argue that the biggest reason Frye made it to the 3rd round was that Rodgers dropped so far in the first round. Honestly, I wanted the Browns to take him in the 2nd, I'm still shocked that he made it all the way to the third.

I would not be the least bit surprised if Frye ended up the best QB in this draft, and I have seen at least one pre-draft analyst that said the same thing.

hammb:

I like Frye, but I have heard he has a few issues with throwing on the run. I think those were relatively minor and that the biggest knock on him is his lack of long-ball arm strength.

I like the way this is setting up, though. Dilfer can be serviceable for a few years, allowing both Harris & Frye to develop. There will be more pressure on Frye, of course, giving Josh time to refine his game. Then, who knows what might happen? I mean, the Eagles traded Feeley to Miami after he only played a few decent games.

FWIW, I think the Browns did a great job with the draft.

1987alum wrote: FWIW, I think the Browns did a great job with the draft.

As much as it pains me to say it, I think they did a good job as well.

I would give them, Philly , Dallas, Arizona and Minnesota all A's.

'87:

The only issues I've read about him throwing on the run was that he had a tendency to drop down to a more sidearm throw when he was running. From watching him at Akron, however, he seemed to be a very accurate passer while on the move. He isn't going to bust one off Mike Vick style, but he certainly seemed to be able to buy himself time in the pocket.

The knock that everyone wanted to cling to was always arm strength, but I always thought he had a plenty strong arm. Similar to our offense they didn't ask him to thrown down the field much, but he did throw sideline passes with good zip when I watched them. In his workout he was asked to stand flat footed (no stepping) and throw the ball to a WR. He was able to throw it 57 yards in the air without stepping into it. To me that is PLENTY of arm strength...as an aside it was further than Big Ben threw last year.

Frye also got a 38 on the wonderlick...the much heralded Alex Smith (touted as possibly the smartest player ever) scored a 40. Frye was second in that test. On the Browns board there is a former Akron coach with whom I have talked about Frye on a number of occasions. From all accounts you will never find a more tireless worker or fiercer competitor. Akron's new coaching staff had to give him a key to the coaches' office so he could come in and watch film on his own time. Reportedly Charlie would be there when the OC left, and back there before the OC came back. That's dedication.

This is no knock on Josh, but I really think that Frye is an absolute steal where the Browns got him. Much like I've preached about Harris, Frye has "it", and has always displayed it at Akron. Yes, it didn't translate to as much success as it did for J5, but that is largely the fault of his vastly inferior supporting cast. I think Charlie showed at the senior bowl how special he can be when surrouned by talent. I really like what the Browns are doing with both Frye & Harris together. I'd really be surprised if neither of them turn into something. They are both too good, and too dedicated to allow themselves to fail. I also think that competing with one another will definitely bring out the best in them.

Another thing to note. I read an article where Savage threw Josh & McCown into the draft pool again this year. He said they evaluated both of them based on their college credentials and acted as though he felt both were rookies. He used that ranking to determine where he would slot taking a possible QB. Clearly he had Frye ranked ahead of both of them, and he has gone on record saying that Harris was in his top 100 last year. He then determined which one of them to trade away with that same logic, and McCown is gone. I wouldn't be shocked if Savage had J5 higher last year as well.

Let Dilfer take the hits this year, but the future of the Browns at QB is bright, IMO.

hammb:

Agreed. Like I said, what I read about him throwing on the run was pretty minor, as you explained. As for arm strength, I didn't see the guy play - at all - but what I've read is that he sometimes underthrows on the deep ball. Of course, I'd say, "Who hasn't?"

I'm a big Savage fan and love what he's done so far with the team. I was taught by my management mentor to always look for smart, hard-working people with a history of success. I think Frye & Harris fit that mold. I think Dilfer is a great pickup - smart guy who's been the ringer. He can teach Charlie & Josh an awful lot.

hammb wrote:Frye also got a 38 on the wonderlick...the much heralded Alex Smith (touted as possibly the smartest player ever) scored a 40.

Pac-Man Jones and Jamaal Brown both scored 13s! How do this guys get into college? One more, Frank Gore score a 6, but it is well documented that he has a learning disorder.

Warthog wrote:

hammb wrote:Frye also got a 38 on the wonderlick...the much heralded Alex Smith (touted as possibly the smartest player ever) scored a 40.

Pac-Man Jones and Jamaal Brown both scored 13s! How do this guys get into college? One more, Frank Gore score a 6, but it is well documented that he has a learning disorder.

i read somewhere that gore spelled his name wrong on the test.

and in other news, it's being reported the redskins are going to give cribbs a chance to play QB and cribbs is going ot take that opportunity instead of trying to convert to WR with the browns.

BGFalcons232 wrote:and in other news, it's being reported the redskins are going to give cribbs a chance to play QB and cribbs is going ot take that opportunity instead of trying to convert to WR with the browns.

Geez, I'd think he'd have a MUCH better chance converting to WR with the Browns than playing QB with a team that drafted Campbell #1 and has Brunell, Ramsey and some other crummy, but experienced, QB on the roster.

Oh well...

1987alum wrote:

BGFalcons232 wrote:and in other news, it's being reported the redskins are going to give cribbs a chance to play QB and cribbs is going ot take that opportunity instead of trying to convert to WR with the browns.

Geez, I'd think he'd have a MUCH better chance converting to WR with the Browns than playing QB with a team that drafted Campbell #1 and has Brunell, Ramsey and some other crummy, but experienced, QB on the roster.

Oh well...

I was just logging in to post this update that I just noticed.

Apparently he thinks he's going to be a QB. I applaud him for sticking to his guns. I don't think he'll ever make it as an NFL QB, but if his heart was not in it at WR, then why waste his & the teams' time? If he shows any amount of promise he can get stashed on the practice squad and play NFL Europe.

I'm sad, however, because I think he could've earned playing time at WR in the future. Oh well, best of luck to him.

FWIW, Ramsey has gotten a RAW deal. I've really liked what I've seen from that kid. Cannot believe they traded up to get his replacement in Campbell. Not a big Campbell fan...he's always been the ultra talented guy who never lived up to the billing. Finally had a good senior year, but I'd still be leery of him. I know he had 4 different OCs in college, but I'd say the jury is still out.

You're right though, '87, he's got almost no chance of making that roster.