(04-22-2022, 07:44 AM)SHRacerX Wrote: [ -> ]Yeah, I don't want to put any kind of Brady/Belichek pressure on them (not saying you are), but what they did with a flawed roster last year is nothing short of amazing. Thankfully, the rest of the world still doesn't seem to believe in them, but I think Burrow wouldn't flinch if everyone expected them to win the Super Bowl either.
When you bring up the 49ers, I think how this year they have a different (very inexperienced) QB, and now Deebo Samual is asking out...reportedly not due to money, but longevity (doesn't like being a RB, I guess...which is true....much shorter career) but that also adds up to money, so we will see.
Aaron Donald of the Rams is reportedly looking for more money, too.
I compare this to Cincy and how the Bengals got three veteran FAs on the offensive line...all from very competitive programs, and the outward appearance that this is a destination people now want to be. It could be the well-documented "Burrow Effect", but if the players also didn't like the coaching staff, they probably wouldn't have any interest. At least to date, we haven't had anyone threaten to sit out, or go public with the "I'm not reporting until I get a new contract". There is just such a great culture here right now. Guys that are leaders and that are "all about ball". I really credit ZT for a lot of that.
Great post. No doubt we are the team on the rise that everybody else has taken notice of. It won't go to our head either, we
are still doubted by pretty much the entire media except a few and most fans of other teams. We aren't doubted by NFL teams
though anymore and Zac and company have created a standard on how to build a shitty team into a contender.
Took a bit with our trenches in complete disarray, but it has came around and we capped it off this Free Agency.
It is a beautiful thing to behold.
(04-22-2022, 07:54 AM)SHRacerX Wrote: [ -> ]Weighing in on the Watson-led Browns discussion (thanks, I invited myself...): While I think on paper the team looks lethal with Watson, Chubb, Cooper, Ward, and Garrett, I can't help but think that a guy coming in that hasn't taken a single snap with the team, who is likely to be suspended for at LEAST five games, yet had his contract structured so his game check salary year 1 is next to nothing and won't really lose much money from his ridiculous guaranteed contract, is bound to create some issues.
People can't help it. It is human nature to compare your value and your salary to others. Watson will be sitting on the bench (or more likely a couch at home) drawing multiple times more money than anyone else on the Browns. Yes, QBs get paid more. But I still can't help thinking the extenuating circumstances surrounding Watson will be a distraction and a potential source of division. There are also some people bound to be in Baker's camp and feel the QB that played injured got a raw deal.
It is as though teams (the Browns aren't the only one) looked at the Bengals and thought: "Hey, if the Bengals can do it, all we are missing is a QB like Burrow (Browns). Or "we need a WR like Chase to make our offense click" (Raiders). There is so much more to it from a culture and chemistry standpoint. That being said, I think the Raiders are the surprise team from the AFC West.
It could definitely blow up in their face. This scumbag sitting on the couch collecting major dough could make other players bitter.
Honestly think they should of just kept Baker.
Speaking of the Raiders, that entire AFC West is going to be the toughest Division I have seen in forever barring injuries.
The Broncos now with a great QB again and a damn good Defense, The Chargers with probably the 2nd best young QB in the NFL
while adding lots of damn good players in FA on Defense, The Raiders adding probably the 2nd best WR to an already pretty decent
WR core and having a decent Defense with Mad Maxx and the Chiefs with Mahomes...
Damn, someone in there won't make the Playoffs and it could be the Chiefs for heck sake.
(04-22-2022, 06:43 PM)fredtoast Wrote: [ -> ]This type of naive overconfidence is the reason only 4 teams in the last 25 years have made it to back-to-back Super Bowls.
"Ooooh, look at us. We made it to the Super Bowl. Nobody can beat us!"
Except....... that's not what he said...
(04-22-2022, 06:47 PM)Mike M (the other one) Wrote: [ -> ]Except....... that's not what he said...
He is guaranteeing that we win the division. You really want to start splitting semantic hairs?
At least I did not make an entire post based on nothing but personal insults.
(04-23-2022, 10:28 AM)fredtoast Wrote: [ -> ]Whatever.
A guy makes a post that is nothing but personal insults against anyone who disagrees with him, but I am the bad guy.
This board is a little pathetic sometimes.
Sometimes it’s good to look in the mirror and see why so many quarrel with you ?
I’d agree with the sentiment that the context of this post sucks. We are defending afc champs with an improved and evolving young, talented team going into 2022. If you can’t see that then fix yourself, don’t worry about the team.
(04-23-2022, 11:17 AM)Soonerpeace Wrote: [ -> ]Sometimes it’s good to look in the mirror and see why so many quarrel with you ?
I looked in the mirror and I saw a guy who does not use personal insults in his debates here.
And I don't understand why so many of you are supporting a guy who did that over me.
(04-23-2022, 10:28 AM)fredtoast Wrote: [ -> ]Whatever.
A guy makes a post that is nothing but personal insults against anyone who disagrees with him, but I am the bad guy.
This board is a little pathetic sometimes.
Especially the people that just live to argue. They’re just the worst.
(04-22-2022, 05:41 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: [ -> ]Zac and company have created a standard on how to build a shitty team into a contender.
Suck your way into Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase and then spend tons of money on FAs for multiple offseasons?
(04-23-2022, 04:10 PM)TheLeonardLeap Wrote: [ -> ]Suck your way into Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase and then spend tons of money on FAs for multiple offseasons?
Tbf they at least spent wisely with those FA dollars (except Waynes). It’s not like they really went out and made any super splashy additions. Maybe Hendrickson? Other than that it was just good solid signings like Bell, Awuzie, Reader, Hilton, etc.
(04-23-2022, 04:52 PM)Nicomo Cosca Wrote: [ -> ]Tbf they at least spent wisely with those FA dollars (except Waynes). It’s not like they really went out and made any super splashy additions. Maybe Hendrickson? Other than that it was just good solid signings like Bell, Awuzie, Reader, Hilton, etc.
You forgot BW Webb and Preston Brown both to 3 year deals. Can't hold it against you, I specifically remembered their situation but I had forgotten their names and had to look it up to remember them. Lol
At the time they made Reader the 9th highest paid DT (and less sure either the highest or second highest paid NT), made Waynes the 9th highest paid CB, made Hendrickson the 8th highest paid DE. If those aren't splashy then there's only like 5 splashy signings each offseason in the league. Even this offseason I think the OL are close to being considered splashy. 12th highest paid C, 14th highest paid G, 9th highest paid RT.
Money has certainly been spent the last couple offseasons.
(04-23-2022, 04:10 PM)TheLeonardLeap Wrote: [ -> ]Suck your way into Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase and then spend tons of money on FAs for multiple offseasons?
That was definitely the topper, we sucked into a couple great players at the perfect time.
But I was speaking more specifically of how Zac and company built the trenches up, the DL first and then the OL this Free Agency.
Doesn't matter how good of a coach you are with pathetic play in the trenches, have said this many times.
I'm glad they haven't over paid for insanely ridiculously overpaid players to end up in cap space hell..
(04-22-2022, 08:27 AM)fredtoast Wrote: [ -> ]Because football is a team sport.
And isn't 28-25 better than 12-13-1
Smart poster: What has Watson ever done?
Fred: A pair of division titles and a playoff win.
Smart poster: 28-25 record, 1-2 in the playoffs.
Fred: It's a team game.
So you agree with me that he hasn't really accomplished much.
Look...is it possible you are overestimating the Browns' roster a smidge? Is it really better than what Watson had with the Texans?
In Houston, Watson had a far better WR corp (Hopkins, Fuller, Stills) than he will have in Cleveland. The RBs in Houston were solid. Especially when Hyde and Duke Johnson combined for nearly 2000 yards from scrimmage in 2019. Defense was solid, ranking 8th and 19th in points allowed in their 2 playoff years.
There are no Jaguars in the AFCN. He will face the Steelers, Ravens and defending AFC Champs twice each.
All of this isn't even accounting for his ridiculous contract and the ramifications that will stem from it. I think all these Broncos and Browns fans that are predicting Super Bowls are in for a surprise. The AFC is loaded. There are several better QBs than those 2 in the AFC, and better rosters as well. I like pretty much every aspect of the Bengals better than the Browns.
