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if this should be in draft forum, so be it...i wan't sure... in a time of year when there is little truth to be heard, I wanted to rewind to the time immediate post-season, when franchises out of the playoffs are addressing their fans as to team progress…the idea of blowing smoke out there is not yet part of the equation…it’s the time when negatives and positives are discussed as freely as they ever are… that said, i thought it would be interesting to review Savage’s post-05 presser, subsequent offseason, and project those onto his post-06 presser… Savage’s quotes and related moves in the 05 presser ( link): “Right now, I feel we'll be fairly aggressive right off the top, especially if certain players get to the market. Hopefully, we'll be the team making the fast moves. We will be active if certain players are available.â€we signed a bunch of guys in the 1st week… “I really don't want to tip our hand, but we could use a veteran receiver. The offensive line in a general sense, at some point in time, has to be addressed.â€Jurevicious…Bentley, Sowells… “Obviously, our pass rush as we were 32nd in the league in sacks. Anytime you're at the bottom, you need help. it has to come from the outside.â€Wimbley, McGinest… “We've been working on L.J. (Shelton); an extension on Reuben (Droughns) and re-signing Orpheus (Roye).â€re-signed Reuben, Orpheus…replaced loss of SHleton with Shaffer… “We're not shutting the door on Antonio but if he can go out there and test the market. At this stage of the game, we want to see if we can explore some possibilities. I think we do need a veteran receiver.â€exit Bryant, enter Jurevicious… “There are a couple of nose guards available there. There are some in free agency. You might see us do something in free agency and double back in the draft. We won't know if any of those guys are free agents until the day free agency starts.â€Ted in FA, Baba in the draft… “Haloti Ngata is a junior from Oregon. If he was available at 12 we would consider him strongly.â€he was not out target… “Lang really tried to do his best to make the transition. We have talked a lot about him. His situation clearly will be addressed.â€dumped him… in total, his moves were pretty much right on with his post-season statements...so, what does that tell us?...i think we can get a very good indication of our offseason moves based upon the following 06 comments...notice comments in white and their quotes, as those are the things people seem to be talking a lot about these days...( link): “The biggest thing for the offensive coordinator is to get every one on the same page. We need a leader and to get all the players on the same page. The coordinator will bring an identity,†Savage said. “The face of the Browns offense will be number 17 and 80.â€In comes an entirely new staff, many asst’s apparently in-line with Chud…Chud is linked to Winslow…look for more pass-happy O...in comes the missing 50% of the playbook?  “I think our coaching staff has identified what Braylon does best and moving forward that’s what we want from him,†Savage said. “I think the most important thing is he came back with the knee and had no setbacks. I think he realizes some of things that happened this year will be that he’s not that kind of guy or teammate. I think next year will be a fresh start for him. I think Braylon will respond very well this off-season. He is a good person and has a very good family. You don’t do what he did at Michigan if he’s a bad guy.â€INTERPRETATION: Braylon is here to stay as a #1 WR, for good or for bad… “We’re two years into a process,†Savage said. “A year or so ago, I was asked if we were closer or further away to our goals. The core of players just wasn’t there. We’re two years into the process and our record wasn’t where we want it to be, but I do think there has been some improvement in place in certain areas.“We want to build a core group of players, maintain some stability and try to catch up with some of the teams we’re competing with.â€INTERPRETATION: the FO doesn’t expect a big turn-around in Ws this year…look for more subtle improvements as a directional bench-mark… “Overcoming the continuous losing has been one of the most difficult things to do,†Savage said.â€INTERPRETATION: we haven’t shaken the losing stigma yet… “When you look at our season, some of our best laid plans went out the window with injuries. The group of core winning players is just not in place yet. I don’t know how you can place the blame on one person. I couldn’t look in the mirror and say it is Romeo Crennel’s fault. The team believes in Romeo and I’ve had numerous players tell me so.â€INTERPRETATION: Phil had high hopes for Bentley and Baxter, and gave Romeo some slack b/c of them… “The quarterback situation is just now at the beginning the off-season,†Savage said. “Charlie has 16 games under his belt as a starter. I think Charlie going into the off-season is the incumbent. Derek (Anderson) played himself into the discussion. Those guys will be in competition for the starter’s job.â€INTERPRETATION: Charlie is the unquestioned #1 at this point… “When you look on the surface who is available there are no guarantees a veteran quarterback is the answer. We could ultimately end up with those same three quarterbacks next year. We went into the season with the idea that we would have a strong line led by LeCharles Bentley to protect Charlie and that didn’t help him the way we anticipated. Some of our struggles on offense can’t all be placed at the feet of the quarterback.â€INTERPRETATION: we will not get a QB in FA…“History shows you can find guard-center-guard on day two of the draft. The left tackle position is taken high in the draft. Our offensive line will obviously have some changes in it. We want to find a five-some with backups. With a high pick, you can only address one need at a time.â€INTERPRETATION: don’t expect a round 2-3 G, but Thomas is a real possibility…“[Bentley]’s doing well. I met with him for a couple of hours a few weeks ago. I think he’s very positive about coming back and playing for the Browns at some point. I’m not comfortable in setting a timetable for him right now. I’ll update that before the combine.â€INTERPRETATION: wait until 08…“We want to win more games but I think our focus is steadily go forward and add quality players and get a little closer to being at a level able to beat those teams in our division.â€INTERPRETATION: Once again, temper your optimism… “There are a number of free agents that we could get our hands on and we’re drafting very high in the draft. You end up getting hold the fort or stop gap guys sometimes in free agency. The focus is to try and fix two or three areas of concern.INTERPRETATION: 'hold the fort' FAs have not been the answer…look for younger solutions in future FA, not older stop-gaps…“I think if you’re going to be in the top five, this is the year to be in the top five.â€INTERPRETATION: we will not be trading down…“If we’re sitting three or four and quarterbacks come off one and two, it doesn’t matter, but things can change overnight.â€INTERPRETATION: both QBs are in that top 4…“I’ve never had one coach come to me. Romeo is responsible for the coaching staff. I have some input, so it’s his coaching staff, just like it’s my scouting staff. As general manager, I can stand back and look because I’m not in the eye of the storm and look at things. Romeo is in charge of the coaching staff, but I do have input.â€INTERPRETATION: Romeo was told changes had to be made, and he was given SOME input on who the new guys might be… “We’d love for Jeff to stay with us, whether he’s the coordinator or not,â€INTERPRETATION: Savage didn’t want him as our OC… “There were three major disappointments to me,†Savage said. “Our record, Bentley getting hurt and our offensive identity as to who are we and what are we able to do going forward.â€INTERPRETATION: we aren’t good…  well?...
Last edited by dnadawg; 02/20/07 04:29 PM.
Browns fans are born with it...
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You put some work into it, that's for sure.
I don't know that I'd agree with all of your interpretations, but it's at least something different from the same old same old.
***Gordon, I really didn't think you could be this stOOpid, but you exceeded my expectations. Wussy.
Manziel, see Josh Gordon. Dumbass.***
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Quote:
“When you look on the surface who is available there are no guarantees a veteran quarterback is the answer. We could ultimately end up with those same three quarterbacks next year. We went into the season with the idea that we would have a strong line led by LeCharles Bentley to protect Charlie and that didn’t help him the way we anticipated. Some of our struggles on offense can’t all be placed at the feet of the quarterback.â€
INTERPRETATION: we will not get a QB in FA…
I don't agree this is what he means.
Quote:
“History shows you can find guard-center-guard on day two of the draft. The left tackle position is taken high in the draft. Our offensive line will obviously have some changes in it. We want to find a five-some with backups. With a high pick, you can only address one need at a time.â€
INTERPRETATION: don’t expect a round 2-3 G, but Thomas is a real possibility…
Unfortunately I agree with your assessment.
Nice post.
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Phil does what he says he will do....up until draft day
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This is your personal interpretation, so no one is going to agree with all of it, but over all I thought it was a fair assessment.
There were a few that I would lean another way on, but the only one I took completely different from you was the "both QBs are in that top 4" statement. I didn't take that in that way at all, but who knows.
Very good read - thanks for taking the time (this is the a rough time of year around here). It was especially interesting to read how Phil's comments of a year ago lined up with his off-season activity.
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nice work! I agree with everything except these little things. So, here is what I think he means by these 2 statements.
“When you look on the surface who is available there are no guarantees a veteran quarterback is the answer. We could ultimately end up with those same three quarterbacks next year. We went into the season with the idea that we would have a strong line led by LeCharles Bentley to protect Charlie and that didn’t help him the way we anticipated. Some of our struggles on offense can’t all be placed at the feet of the quarterback.â€
INTERPRETATION: we will not get a QB in FA…
I agree
“If we’re sitting three or four and quarterbacks come off one and two, it doesn’t matter, but things can change overnight.â€
INTERPRETATION: both QBs are in that top 4…
It doesn't matter where the qb's are drafted b/c we won't be picking them. When we drafted charlie we knew he was a project. We are going to give charlie one more shot this year. We don't have enough money or draft picks to focus in on a quality QB. There are still too many holes to fill and we are doing things right by building a team and then putting a QB in place.
Look at Baltimore... They tried to get a quality QB and it didn't work so they built a team then put in a QB after the team was ready to be a serious contender. I expect Phil is following the same plan.
JMHO
Hunter + Dart = This is the way.
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At least the one thing we know about Savage is that he's a straight shooter, there's no sugarcoating.
He says what he means, there's no lying in his words, maybe a smoke screen or two, but that's it.
Find what you love and let it kill you.
-Charles Bukowski
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Strong work DNA. Very interesting how his comments became reality. We'll see in a couple weeks/months just how good your interpretation skills are. Seems like only 2 interepretations are getting much criticism so I will throw my 2 cents in.
Quote:
“When you look on the surface who is available there are no guarantees a veteran quarterback is the answer. We could ultimately end up with those same three quarterbacks next year. We went into the season with the idea that we would have a strong line led by LeCharles Bentley to protect Charlie and that didn’t help him the way we anticipated. Some of our struggles on offense can’t all be placed at the feet of the quarterback.â€
INTERPRETATION: we will not get a QB in FA…
My interpretation: I would love to bring in a veteren FA QB but looking at who is available well they just all suck so no we probably won't bring in a FA QB
The Bentley injury really hurt this franchise a lot.
I am disappointed that Frye didn't show more but seriously his line was horrendous. We really need to fix the o-line if we ever hope to accomplish anything on offense.
Quote:
“If we’re sitting three or four and quarterbacks come off one and two, it doesn’t matter, but things can change overnight.â€
INTERPRETATION: both QBs are in that top 4…
Sounds suspiciously like the 2 Qb's might even be 1 and 2 on our draft board.
Am I perfect? No
Am I trying to be a better person?
Also no
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Interesting read. Interpretations aside, I like that you point out that Savage pretty much does what he says he'll do, without actually giving away his exact moves. RAC the FO have taken a lot of grief for this disappointing past season, but in truth we've had a really hard time getting a grip. Losing our two biggest FA aquisitions in two years, moves that were meant as cornerstones in the secondary and on the O-line have ended up really hurting the progress of this team. Two hobbled #1 picks hasn't helped either. Add Roye not playing up to snuff, a sub par McKinley, Ryan Tucker's problems, Joe Andruzzi's knees, Shaffer's recently discovered knee problem, and vets way past their prime in Big T & Willie McG and it's a wonder we won any games at all. That is a ton of stuff for one team to absorb in a season. Sometimes I feel like we're running in mud and just can't get any traction to move forward. Instead of concentrating on adding additional talent to improve the team, we need to sign another high priced corner, resign Frailey probably to a fairly hefty deal even if it's only for a year, find a replacement for Druz & Coleman, figure out what to do at RT and find someone to play DE, just to stay even, all the while paying Baxter and LCB millions while they rehab. Yet it's clear to so many that Savage is an idiot and RAC doesn't know what he's doing. If they don't get it done this season fans and the media will be screaming for their heads, sick of all the "excuses". Sad part is, ownership will probably capitulate and we get to start all over again in '08. 
![[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]](https://i.imgur.com/hfMNC7T.jpg) "I am undeterred and I am undaunted." --Kevin Stefanski "Big hairy American winning machines." --Baker Mayfield #gmstrong
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Like I been saying,,, Phil has been telling us all along, it's gonna take time..
Nice work DNA
#GMSTRONG
“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.”
Daniel Patrick Moynahan
"Alternative facts hurt us all. Think before you blindly believe."
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thanks all...
P...
the FA QB thing...you may disagree, but why?...what in those statements indicates he has his eye on someone?...or has any positive thing to say about what a vet could do?...
BpG...
i don't think that's so true...i think Phil will spin and blow smoke this time of year like any GM...there will be a lot of media asking questions at/after the combine, and in FA aquisition press conferences...but at those times, he's on full guard...post-season is a little different, though...
DANGLET..
yeah, all just opinions at this point, but i don't think i was reading between the lines much...Phil appears to be pretty transparent, was my point...as for the ranking of the 2 QBs, what impression did you get?...saying they both may be gone seems to imply he's got them up high...
SUPERBOWL...
perhaps you're right about the chance for a first round QB being hurt by the Boller mistake...but Boller was not a top5 QB...and i could spin that the other way...Phil's seen how a mid-1st and his own 3rd (still in progress) have been nothing to rave about, and that maybe it is top5 or nothing to fix the position...
the other thing was not talking about the running game or stopping the run...he mentions Winslow and Braylon basically being our identity on offense...and he brings up the QB and LT positions, but not WR or RB or NT, in regard to the 1st round...i got the idea his board's top 3 were QB, QB, Thomas, not necessarily in that order...we'll see...
JESTER...
i tried to boil it down to decision only, but your take is about right on with my full interpretation...
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I read his commets and to me he is making excuses for the QBs but I just don't think he is saying he is content with what we have. I wouldn't expect him to say he is actively looking for a vet QB in case a deal can't be made. My opinion of Anderson is quite low and it scares me to have him as a backup QB. I want a vet in here ( I perfer Carr) to compete for the job so maybe a little wishful thinking is influencing my opinion. It was a very good post.
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I think he may be making excuses because our o-line is faulty and he hasn't had time to really judge the QB's. JMHO
Find what you love and let it kill you.
-Charles Bukowski
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Awesome post man.....
I'm kind of shocked about how right on the money he was last year.....could it be because he was a rookie GM? who knows....does this mean he will be that accruate again this year? who knows again......but like i said great post.... i agree with most of the things u said...
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P...
maybe, but again, if he was as transparent as last year, i think he's saying that Charlie is his vet for now, and that he doesn't see the advantage bringing in another...i'm hoping Carr doesn't fall under that umbrella, though, as it wasn't clear he'd be avavilable at that time...then again, insiders know things before us, so maybe those statements include Carr as an unnecessary move, in his eyes...
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Quote:
“I think if you’re going to be in the top five, this is the year to be in the top five.â€
INTERPRETATION: we will not be trading down…
...
Pretty good, dna, fun to read. If I were to quibble with one thing, it's the "good year to be picking top 5" remark. That COULD mean a few things: trade down, or get a great player at 3/4. I don't think it's written in stone that he won't trade down.
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Quote:
Quote:
“I think if you’re going to be in the top five, this is the year to be in the top five.â€
INTERPRETATION: we will not be trading down…
...
Pretty good, dna, fun to read. If I were to quibble with one thing, it's the "good year to be picking top 5" remark. That COULD mean a few things: trade down, or get a great player at 3/4. I don't think it's written in stone that he won't trade down.
Well, he's not gonna say "this is a crap year to be in the top 5". That's for sure. 
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LAMP...
i get your point...the way he phrased it just suggested to me that he's more into the players than the desire for other teams to trade up...but i suppose he could've meant that there's more trade-value there this year than in previous years...and clearly, if Minni or someone else were dumb enough to make a huge offer to us, things would change, but for an equitable trade, i don't see it...we'll see...
DANGLET...
do you honestly think he was looking those reporters in the eye, fielding questions about our terrible season, and decided to begin spinning things for draft smoke?...
Browns fans are born with it...
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Quote:
do you honestly think he was looking those reporters in the eye, fielding questions about our terrible season, and decided to begin spinning things for draft smoke?
I honestly don't know. I don't think he would say anything that could be perceived as harmful to our position, but I'm pretty reserved/cautious by nature - so my opinion could be slanted. I don't think its unreasonable to assume that a simple comment from Savage could have some slight impact down the road.
Despite what we read around here, and despite his apparent struggles as a GM - Savage is still one of the most highly respected talent evaluators in the NFL.
Heck - the Dwight Clarks of the world probably base 90% of their decisions off of comments like that
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Quote:
yeah, all just opinions at this point, but i don't think i was reading between the lines much...Phil appears to be pretty transparent, was my point...as for the ranking of the 2 QBs, what impression did you get?...saying they both may be gone seems to imply he's got them up high...
I just took it as a good avoidance response. "If both are gone - we don't have to make that decision, so there's no reason for me to get into it".
Very vague really.
You're interpretation is just as likely correct, IMO.
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Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum read Savage's lips (long)...
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