The surprises just keep on coming. Unlike the offseasons when Phil Savage was in charge though, almost all of the moves made by the new regime have brought out the same question: "Why?"
Why did we not give a more serious look at Jim Leonhard and Sean Jones?
Why are we signing nobody but former New York Jets?
Why did we quickly pass up on Joe Jurevicius returning this season, especially after losing Kellen Winslow already?
The latest one is this: why did we release RT Kevin Shaffer when we already have huge holes at two linebacker positions, safety, and wide receiver?
The OBR reported the following on the salary implications involving the release, which don't sound too bright either:
While the team will save $1.455 million of cap space by cutting Shaffer, they will also assume $4.56 of "dead" cap space due to bonuses rolled forward into this year.
I don't mind not having Shaffer as a starter next season. I would much rather see Ryan Tucker fill that position. Coming off an injury-plagued season though, and after the team had his salary reduced to the minimum for a veteran, what is going on? Reports indicate that Shaffer could still be re-signed by the Browns under a new contract:
...Shaffer is weighing a contract restructuring offer from the team and will decide by tonight whether to take it or enter free agency Friday morning, his agent told The Plain Dealer.
Shaffer had started in 47 of the past 48 games for the Browns at an offensive tackle position. In order, his production can probably be ranked best in 2007 (RT), second best in 2006 (LT), and worst this past season (RT). We still could re-sign him, but to take the risk of losing him in the first place tells me that we're not interested.
In other news, the Browns officially confirmed the signing of former Jets LB David Bowens today.
0 recs | 34 comments
Awesome. We cut our starting RT. So far this team has lost its starting SS, MLB, RT, TE and OLB (Willie retiring). And we have added David Bowens.
When do playoff tix go on sale?
5 million dead dollars towards the cap to cut a starter. No trade, just a straight cut. Who is starting at RT? Tucker has been injured a ton lately. If Winslow was “injury-prone” then Tucker is a freakin walking ER unit. I like him but he has played 1 full season since 2004. Who starts now when Tucker gets hurt? Issac Sowells?
The Browns couldn’t have gotten anything in return for the guy? The Eagles couldn’t use Schaffer as a stop gap? We couldn’t have gotten a 7th round pick like we gave them for Fraley? I have a hard time believing that no one in the NFL was willing to even offer a conditional pick.
Another hole that this front office needs to fill before the start of the season. When are we cutting Phil Dawson?
Bernie19Kosar - March 12, 2009
man oh man…if you guys insist upon panicking, just bear in mind that at least we’re not the broncos. 32-year-old coach, no GM, 2 big FA signings are social security eligible S and LB, and the pro bowl QB wants to rip out the new coach’s eyes and piss in his skull. THAT is reason to freak out.
DontCallMeJoey - March 12, 2009
Your right Denver is in bad shape right now.
Honestly, I could care less how jacked up Denver is. The Browns aren’t much better right now.
Pissed off Superstar, check. Piss poor cap managment, check. Tons of holes to fill on both sides, check.
Listen I am not a “sky is falling” kind of guy, but I do know a bad situation when I see one. I didn’t like the Winslow trade when it happened and I still don’t. We need as many playmakers as possible, and I have a hard time thinking that the Browns will uncover a playmaker of K2’s ability with the number 50 pick.
I understand that Mangini wants HIS guys in here because they know his system. But in all honesty, how different from Romeo’s can it be? Mangini coached under him! I don’t think that Mosley and Bowens are good players. I think that giving a four year deal to a 32 year old LB because he is a Mangini guy is a poor contract.
I believe that Mangini is directing a rebuilding. If that is what he wants to do, fine, do it now though. If we try this rebuild on the fly crap, this team will not recover for 5 years. Is Brady the guy? Can we get Cutler? Is Rogers still pissed? Will Wimbley from 2006 ever return? Who is the RB for next year?
Bernie19Kosar - March 12, 2009
So you can see a bad situation when you see one? Did you see a bad situation last season prior to our 4-12 record?
Roger Dorn - March 12, 2009
Not at all. I thought we had some questions, but not a 4-12 season. I also didn’t expect the Browns to go through 5 QB’s either.
Bernie19Kosar - March 12, 2009
I think we were 4-8 with DA and Quinn though
Roger Dorn - March 13, 2009
“Mangini’s” system should be a lot different then what we have been seeing. Bringing in Rob Ryan is a pretty clear sign that he wants an aggressive defense.
I also don’t think our cap management has been “piss poor”. I don’t agree with cutting Shaffer, but we aren’t at the cap yet, which has gone up exponentially in past years and will not even exist after next year unless a new CBA is reached.
There are questions, sure. But you are panicking way too early. At least wait till the draft or a minicamp or something.
rufio - March 13, 2009
No offense, but the guys we are cutting are overpaid for the amount of production we are seeing on the field. While we don’t get huge savings right now, the savings will be very big in the years of his contract after this one
Roger Dorn - March 12, 2009
and according to the thing rotowire, they will try and re-sign to a smaller deal. sounds reasonable
Roger Dorn - March 12, 2009
I agree, some people are freaking out over losing overpaid players without much value. I’m not saying I agree with all the moves, because I don’t have all the infomation, but I’m willing to give Kokinis and Mangini the benefit of the doubt until they’ve completed the offseason. At least wait until August to complain about what the team looks like. Kokinis came from Baltimore where they were very good at valuing their, and other team’s, free agents, so I’m willing to trust that he knows what he’s doing for now.
Buckeye Brad - March 12, 2009
I agree with this. I am not saying I approve of everything yet, I am just waiting for a complete picture
Roger Dorn - March 13, 2009
Anyone else free agents who played for the Jets in the last 2 years still available, or have we cornered the market on the NYJ’s table scraps?
ouched - March 12, 2009
We missed out on Nugent I believe, so Dawson can wipe the sweat away.
Chris Pokorny - March 12, 2009
NNNUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGEEE!
Bernie19Kosar - March 12, 2009
So you suggest the Browns should keep Shaffer. He was a big part the Browns could nto Rush the ball. And you know as well as anybody, if you can’t rush in the AFC North, you can’t win the division.
M.Bush behind a healthy R.Tucker will give the Browns a young productive rushing attack. And you know a rushing attack will make the passing game better. For example J.Flacco was effective because of the ravens rushing attack. And the defense won the games.
Same winning recipe for the steelers with a young Rothlisberger in the AFC North. So enjoy your bowl of stupid.
ElPresidente - March 12, 2009
thanks for this insightful analysis. clear as mud. the “bowl of stupid” line was gold, though…gold, i tell you.
DontCallMeJoey - March 13, 2009
The Steelers were 23rd in the NFL in rushing last year. The Steelers ran for 85 more yards than the Browns the entire year. That is about 5 yards a game. The Colts and Cardinals were 31st and 32nd in the NFL in rushing last year. This isn’t 1975 anymore. Yes it is easier to win with a great rushing attack but that doesn’t mean that it is the only measure of success.
We don’t have Michael Bush and Ryan Tucker hasn’t been healthy in three years.
Couldn’t have said it better myself.
Bernie19Kosar - March 13, 2009
DA Haters are ignorant
Take away the dropped passes last year and the stats are not so bad. He will choke sometimes, but so will Quinn. DA has the balls to make chances that is why he is a good QB, he can throw like a cannon too. I remember those dumb Quinn fans in 2007 Cinn home game yelling “brady” “brady” then DA started lighting things up What if they put in Brady then, and he stunk it up (the chants would be Testa-Ver-De). The people on here seem to think somehow they can make better decisions than a GM or the Coach, check the State of the Franchise on Browns at nfl.com, they say DA is not that bad.. so I assume those same people that doubted Crennel (which I back them) now doubt Mangenious also doubt what the intelligent follower knows. I got news for these people, they don’t have a job in the NFL and there is a reason for it. I always been a DA fan ever since the 2006 KC home game baby! One thing your forgetting wannabe GM fans, your words and whining they don’t care about they are going to make their own professional opinions and if that means BQ sits then please let him sit… or Trade him, he is not a bad QB put I still think to this day DA is the man, and much better
fatcat - March 13, 2009
(Looks around)
Did you mean to post this in a different topic? Just kind of unusual to bring this up in the Kevin Shaffer topic :p
Chris Pokorny - March 13, 2009
That’s one way of handling it. I was going to recommend the “I award you no points, and may god have mercy on your soul” route…
joeee - March 13, 2009
we’ll miss you, but we look forward to seeing the rest of your stuff on cleveland.com.
DontCallMeJoey - March 13, 2009
isnt shaffer the OL that was blocking the IND defensive lineman that got bull rushed into Anderson’s knee? BTW anyone know how his knee is doing?
sleepy042 - March 13, 2009
Shaffer was the guy who got bull rushed by Mathis, who he outweighs by at least 50 lbs.
That was one play. He had an entire season of great play in 2007. Inconsistent year-to-year? Maybe. Worth cutting because of one play when we have zero viable options to replace him and taking ~5million in dead cap space? Questionable at best.
rufio - March 13, 2009
I really think we had a difficult time running behind the right side of our line as well. It goes beyond his getting owned by Mathis
Roger Dorn - March 13, 2009
It’s not that I believe that Schaffer is a Pro-Bowler, but I just believe that cutting someone useful in order to save 1.4 million, isn’t a productive move. When you add in the fact that right now we don’t have anyone to fill that void, and the move will cost us a shade under 5 million anyways, it makes the move all that more questionable.
I think we can both agree that this team had holes that need to be filled when this offseason started. So far, and I will admit that there is still a lot of time for moves to be made, the front office has not filled any holes, just created more.
Bernie19Kosar - March 13, 2009
Agreed, he was at least a stop gap solution there so we could fill some other needs this offseason and upgrade at RT only if something fell in to our laps.
rufio - March 13, 2009
It only saves that much this year.
However, since the bonus is escalated, we would save the entire amount of the base salary in the years of his contract that went beyond 2009
Roger Dorn - March 13, 2009
So since Shaffer signed a 7 year deal in 2006 at $5 million in base per year. He has played 3 of those seasons out leaving 4 remaining. The bonus is escalated meaning the savings are minimal for season 4. However, in seasons 5-7 we are saving that full $5 million each year.
Roger Dorn - March 13, 2009
Just so you know, I am reading about Shaffer’s history at Rotoworld. The cut actually makes perfect sense right now, because according to reports at the time of the signing, the majority of guarantees all occurred in the first 3 years.
Here is the link in case you are interested.
Roger Dorn - March 13, 2009
I dunno. Last year’s rushing was so incredibly up the middle I’m not sure if you could even count it as running to the right or the left. But, without cleat marks on the center’s back I suppose it had to be to one side or the other.
JustBob - March 13, 2009
In fairness I place a lot of the blame on Lewis. The few real successful rushes we had that I remember went to the left (Harrison 75 yard TD for one example)
Roger Dorn - March 13, 2009
Ahh. Thanks for bringing back one of the more pleasant memories of that season. Seriously, though, considering how little time it seemed that the Browns Offense was on the field Lewis still managed to get 1000 yards. I guess that speaks to how truly horrible the passing game was.
So, is Womack likely the replacement for Shaffer or a backup?
JustBob - March 13, 2009
Don’t forget Chud losing 95% of his creativity and common sense from 2007.
rufio - March 13, 2009
Can we stop cutting players???!?!?!
jerseywahoo - March 13, 2009
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