Browns Punditry Panicking Prematurely

I'm frustrated that talks between Travis Benjamin and the Browns have broken off.  I trust Tony Grossi in these matters, and believe that the sides were indeed close.

But the fact that Travis will now entertain offers from other teams doesn't mean he's gone.  Nobody is gone yet.  The team has over 42 million in cap space, and can top any offer for every player from any team.

None of the prospective free agents has shown a strong inclination to leave, with the possible exception of Mitchell Schwartze (Tony knows better than me).

I didn't bother reading "Browns on verge of free agent mass exodus", nor should you.

If any of these players leaves, it will be because the Browns find the price simply too high.  (And in the real world, Virginia, this happens: see the Suh contract).

Benjamin, in particular, is far from gone.  Teams will value him as an elite returner and slot receiver only.  He is still a tiny little shrimp with stick legs, and probably won't command a fortune in guaranteed money like he seems to think.

Ozzie Newsome is famous for letting other teams do his negotiating for him.  He allows players to shop around, and then considers whether or not the best offer they get is worth topping.

Of course, historically, players have wanted to stay with the Ravens.  Nobody will want to stay with the Browns, right?

Nah! Not with Hue Jackson, Goff or Wentz, Josh Gordon, etc!  Well that's crap.  Ask the veteran players.  Joe Thomas is only the most outspoken.

Here is another excellent article on the state of the Browns inside linebackers.  Every last word is correct.

I'd just like to add one thing to it: Solomon can play inside, take on blockers, and stop the run.

I'm fuzzy on Ray Horton inside linebackers, but in an earlier article outlined the possibility that Ray plans to use Mingo as a nickel/dime linebacker, and earlier than than pointed out that nickel defenses are really the new base defenses in the modern NFL.

In obvious run situations, Solomon could be in the middle, perhaps even in nickels.

No, you don't want this guy in coverage, but that's what the extra defensive backs are for.  Contrary to popular myth, both inside linebackers don't need to cover.  This is especially true when one of the two is a really good Blitzer.

Solomon is the biggest sleeper in the Browns Front seven.  Stay tuned.