What Will Ray Do?

Well?

Oh, so you don't know either.  

I just do have a few comments.  The guys on NFL Radio are talking about the GM's all blowing smoke.  No, guys, YOU are repeating stuff that guys like me just made up.  Occasionally your source is really a janitor that claims he saw a board or overheard something, but more often you read some obscure fan like me saying something that just made sense.

And I'm more confused than ever.  I mean there's Derrick Carr irrefutably completing the least passes under pressure and being the least accurate over 20 yards.  A statistical reality.

And yet Phil Simms calls him the "safest" pick, and Phil Savage prefers him to Bortles.  Jim Miller got animated in talking about others downgrading him based on his horrible Bowl game--utterly ignoring the stats.  And actually, I think all three might even be oblivious to them.  

These particular stats have real meaning!

Well, Miller did say that he didn't have much help, and carried his team.  I don't know.  Maybe he just never had any time on third and long because his line was porous, and/or his recievers couldn't get open deeper.  I just don't know any more.  These guys know what they're talking about, but Ray?

If this guy is another Weeden you'll never hear the end of it!

Not that I believe--necessarily--that the stuff people made up about Ray wanting Carr bad is true.  Maybe somebody read one of my older blogs in which I was wanting to know why everybody hated this guy.  

So now Ray is "enamored" with Teddy Bridgewater.  This dart might accidentally have hit the board someplace.

If you just listen to Pettine and Ray, they are enamored with everybody, so irrational people and desperate writers can filter out everything except what they want to hear.

I was trained not to do that.  Too bad.  Ignorance is bliss.

But the bad scouting report I read (and I respect the guy) on Bridgewater on Browns Frontpage aside, Bridgewater's statistics show no weakness.  Pettine repeated twice that he was accurate.  Pettine was a quarterback himself, and I know he means he PLACES the ball well.

He's small, but seems to be made of baling wire and rubber bands.  You beat him up and he just gets mad and sticks it to you worse.

And it now seems as if--incredibly--he COULD slide all the way to 26!  He and Carr both!

Most of this stuff about in the AFC North you have to be big and have a rifle is weak, if not utter crap.  In Shanahan's offense accuracy and being TOUGH inside and out is more important.

But I don't know.  I mean, I still think Garoppolo and Murray might be as good or better than the rest of them!

Here's another rumor for you (Hope you don't mind that I'm making it up):

"Kyle Shanahan doesn't see Hoyer as a 'bridge' quarterback, and believes he can go all the way with him.  His arm is stronger than it has been, he reads and throws quickly, he's mobile, and extremely accurate."

Except for (possibly) Shanahan saying it, it's even true!!!

Tell Phil Savage, who dismisses Hoyer as a game manager.  Tell everybody else, too.  They're all fulla crap.  You'll see BOOK IT.

Wierd thoughts/possible surprises:

Maybe they draft a Cameron-like tight end higher than expected.  Kyle is smart, so he could just use him like a wide reciever (remember he thinks OUTSIDE the box, see?)

They could trade all the way down to nine or ten and get Barr.  Barr is an unfinished product, but should in time become as good as Mack, and is already primed to do the passrushing part. 

Remember Jordan Matthews.  

Ray, trade down and get Matthews later.

And Murray or Garopollo.  

Ray is right now going back and forth with the coaches and his scouts about different players, and talking over "what if" scenarios with other GMs.  Many trades are arranged in advance, and are triggered when one of a dozen or more contingencies appear.

The object of a trade is mutual benefit.  Both parties usually get what they want.

Of course, of you're willing to pay more than you should, or the guy(s) you get suck, that's on you.  But the GMs aren't out to screw eachother.

Ray may well have things set up with Detroit, Atlanta, and other teams--even Dallas.

One guy pointed out that the Browns already have talent (thank you!!!!!!!) and ten draft picks, so if they use them all, some will get cut.

That's not a problem.  The lower picks can be packaged to move up and grab fewer but better players, or parlayed into higher future picks.

And then there's the fact that an upgrade is an upgrade.  NFL teams typically activate 7-9 offensive linemen, and keep at least one on the practice squad.  Nobody is secure except Mack and Thomas.  One veteran makes the team because he's a solid starter or versatile backup.  Schwartze probably stays, but could get demoted.  The younger guys have to compete, and if they lose, they lose.

There isn't anything special behind Cameron at tight end.  Two or three cornerbacks could keep or lose their jobs to better players.

Yeah Ray.  Trade down and maybe repeat it.  Then trade up from the bottom.  Get maybe seven or eight really good players, and let the chips fall where they may.  There's the rest of your young core already.  The beginning of a dynasty.

And GO BRIAN HOYER.