Mark Leonard

April 2006 - Posts

• What is up Phil's sleeve for ILB?

  It seems sufficiently evident Browns' GM Phil Savage has a plan in mind for ILB. What exactly that is, one cannot pretend to know. But it doesn't take a genius (fortunately) to recognize it is not only the thinnest position on the roster---Can anyone even venture an intelligent guess as to whom the current starter is next to Andra Davis?---but one which has escaped transaction attention thusfar this busy off-season. Therefore, it seems reasonable to assume something is in the works at the spot. Whether the solution will be a Day One draft selection, a last-minute RFA tender, a vet now more inclined to consent to a club-friendly FA contract or a good, old-fashioned NFL football trade, it is clear the remedy does not exist in-house. And he is not likely to come from NFL Europe, either.  Even if Chaun Thompson were to surprisingly become that guy, as some have speculated and written, the organization could not leave itself otherwise barren behind him. A viable alternative, a fallback option would be required and advised. This upcoming paragraph is intented to be neither inflammatory nor gratiutous, but maybe a trade-up will occur, if the targetted commodity slips, as is being recently rumored, to Detroit at 8. That athlete, of course, would be OSU's stellar producer AJ Hawk, considered by most as the safest selection in the upcoming process. His ceiling is high, but so is his floor---meaning he'd minimally become a starting-caliber performer. Anyone with even a casual familiarity with this site realizes Hawk's addition would be celebrated wildly by Browns' fans. But, more relevantly, Hawk is the draft's top LB prospect, a throw-back type and a born tackler. Instinctive, intelligent, physical, athletic, hungry, relentless, alert---the list of desired attributes is extensive. Hawk would be a superb fit and a valued asset wherever he were to land, which is why Green Bay would be questioned heavily for passing on him at five. SF is reportedly also fond of Hawk's capacities, as is Oakland, right behind them at seven. Nonetheless, current conjecture has GB opting for NC State's DE Mario Williams, SF for Maryland TE Vernon Davis and the Raiders for Texas QB Vince Young---all assuming it will be Reggie Bush to Houston, D'Brickashaw Ferguson to NO, Matt Leinart and Jay Cutler--- the USC and Vanderbilt passers, respectively---going to Tennessee and the Jets in some order at three and four. That is a dubious scenario. Even were Young to be preferred over one of those two QBs in the top five, it is not easily foreseeable that Hawk falls out of the top five. However, for the sake of conversation, and giving some credence to those who maintain no LB deserves to be tabbed that highly, were Hawk to fall to eight, Savage might have to jump.  Savage is known to justifiably cherish his draft picks, choices are likely necessary to finance his move up from 12. Yet Savage may agree with many who contribute to chat room discussions on the OBR that Hawk is one rare talent worth mortgaging to secure. The departed picks, after all, might be replaced by subsequently dealing off expendables like Faine and Suggs, among others. As for the Lions and what is in it for them, they'd be expected, otherwise at 8, to have interest in a secondary leader such as Texas' Michael Huff or Va Tech's Jimmy Williams, probably in that order. Were Dan Wilkinson to follow through on his tentative decision to retire, one of the top-rated DTs---Haloti Ngata or Brodrick Bunkley---might entice. At least two from this list could be expected to remain for them at 12, with the acquired additional selections satisfactory inducements to grant Savage his preferred drafting position. The makings of a more extensive exchange package exists between the two teams, in fact. While it would require some suspect decision-making in the early stages of Draft Day 2006 to become remotely feasible, it is nonetheless possible the opportunity to deal up for a draft shot at AJ Hawk exists for Phil Savage and the Cleveland Browns. Should that opportunity manifest, it would not at all be surprising were Savage, Head Coach Romeo Crennel and D-Coor Todd Grantham to leap at the prospect. It is just another of the many possible scenarios to anticipate as April 29 approaches. At the very least, what ultimately is done to address and satisfy the vacant ILB position bears close attention, as it will greatly influence the completeness of the club's renovated roster. Savage and his lieutenants are not sleeping on the spot, either. Something is up their sleeves.      Posted Apr 17 2006, 09:23 AM by Salinian with 2 comment(s)

• The other side of the Favre/Walker issue

  Earlier this week, I authored an entry espousing the acquisition of Green Bay's passing combination of Brett Favre and Javon Walker, recognizing it as an uncommon opportunity to exploit another team's distress so as to secure bonafide playmakers for an outfit in need of them. Surprisingly, I've experienced no commentary on the proposal, but will debate it here myself. Such acquisitions as these, especially coming in tandem as they would, could significantly jeopardize team chemistry and solidarity, such as it is. Among the advantages the team's new free-agent class brings are the contributions toward unity and veteran leadership. In fact, two of the more accomplished additions played as championship teammates in NE under Head Coach Romeo Crennel when he was D-Coor there. Not only does this mean they are familiar with the man and his system, but their smooth assimilation is virtually assured. They can be expected to function as spearheads in guiding the youngsters who abound on the roster in the direction of winning, showing how it is done, what it takes, what cannot be tolerated, and precisely when the moment of "winning time" arrives, as it does at some point each and every Sunday. Some competitors know how to respond appropriately to its arrival and some never do.  This is not to say Favre and Walker are foreign to such concepts, only that two more strong-minded individuals with sizeable egos cannot haphazardly be added to the mix as if this were fantasy football. The clubhouse is full not of athletic commodities so much as it is of human beings with distinct personalities, personal agendas, motivations and styles---among other disparite parts. Determining those who will fit and excluding those who might not is no small part of a GM's job description. One must deliberate before one can ascertain the potential ramifications of adding an outsider, particularly one with resume' and profile---not to mention two with history between them. What is more, there seems to be a delicate balance present between the team's current primary quarterbacks, veteran Trent Dilfer and upstart Charlie Frye. The proposal to deal for Favre not only divides that union but relegates Frye to a clearly subservient role, which is not the one the youngster has in mind for himself nor the one for which he has prepared since assuming the snaps in late November. The Akron product and Williard native has done much to establish himself among his teammates and offensive partners. How would Charlie, who seems to be the future for the organization at the position, react to Dilfer's subtraction? How might he respond to Favre? How will the team react to Charlie's placement behind the Hall-of-Famer? How might the demotion, however long it lasts, affect the team's eventual acceptance of Frye as successor? These are not simplistic considerations, nor are they commonly followed by easy and comfortable solutions. The creation of a team, especially one that can focus and win together---which has to be the objective very soon and for seasons to come---is a sensitive process, not one which just happens by assembling athletes with requisite skill sets. Evidence of this is quite common, with Tice's Vikings and Snyder's Redskins recent examples to the contrary. Does this mean the Browns would be foolish to entertain the proposal? Should they ignore investigating its viability? Not necessarily. It simply means they would need to be careful and proceed with thought, care, concern and a clear plan for successful assimiliation, should it become necessary or recommended. Is there enough in-house leadership to permit it to occur smoothly, completely, successfully? There is also the matter of respecting continuity and minimizing disruption. While adding such a gifted duo might raise the league's awareness of Cleveland's Browns as legitimate, if only on paper, it also risks inviting dysfunctionality and can distract from the cohesion many associated with the club have worked hard to create, nurture and maximize. So, while an exchange such as was described earlier this week may inspire adjectives such as plausible, equitable, reasonable and do-able, it is nonetheless not without its pratfalls and apprehensions. There is more to a wise and astute team trade, regardless of the sport, than simply swapping talents as if they were playing cards. This writer remains intrigued. And perhaps the ballclubs are as well. But this is by far not a "no-brainer" nor a sure thing destined for unparalled success. There are reasons those deals that may appear to be "too good not to do" are somehow allowed to pass. Perhaps I've touched upon a few with this writing.       Posted Apr 05 2006, 01:27 PM by Salinian with no comments

• USC's hallowed number 55

  The tradition employed by the Trojans of the University of Southern California, by which the team's top defensive prospect is recognized by bestowing upon him the legendary double-five, was reminded by the arrival of former NE Patriot/USC Trojan Willie McGinest, who was given the number shortly after the departure of Junior Seau. Since Willie left SoCal, he's been followed by into that jersey by a few relative obscurities,  though Chris Claiborne was a number-one choice of the Lions and Bedford Chanel's Marcus Steele was expected to do much when the Cowboys selected him. Zeke Moreno is another who seemed to peak while wearing the numeral as a collegian. This is ironic inasmuch as the Cleveland Browns are searching high and low for an ILB suitable to align next to Andra Davis and both Claiborne and Steele are young enough and available. Neither is likely to ever don the Orange and Brown, however much was once expected of them. Steele had an amazingly brief career while Claiborne has become a chronic disappointer, underachiever and overpaid journeyman, though one perpetually invited (thusfar) to help rectify distressed LB units: Minn and StL being two of his more recent sites of mediocrity. Only for name recognition do Claiborne and Jaime Sharper appear atop some fans' wish lists at the position. Both are now poised on the brink of oblivion, aside Steele, Moreno, maybe Earl Holmes and, alas, Seau himself. However, one does wonder what an instinctive, passionate vet like Junior might do protected by Ted Washington and surrounded by what might well be an impressively improved Cleveland defensive unit. There was a time he was as active and feared a defender as the modern era has known, regardless of from whence it was he chose to attack. But that was before injuries began to mount and age took its toll, as it inevitably will from all of us. And, since a rookie is not likely to be entrusted with so significant a role in Romeo Crennel and Todd Grantham's front seven, it remains a nettlesome curiousity as to whom it will be who ultimately fills that Browns' vacancy come autumn. The guess remains it will be a vet young enough to bridge beyond the duration of either Washington or McGinest. This points to a trade more than a draftee or a free agent, though someone affected by June 1 salcap cuts---an increasingly less necessary manuever, by the way---could manifest. It does not seem likely the club's braintrust would wait that long to correct so blatant and critical a deficiency, however. Perhaps the solution will come in the presence of an outside backer converting inside, such as Keith Newman or Na'il Diggs. At any rate, his identity does not seem evident or predictable. In a month of so much conjecture and so many uncertainties relative to personnel, should it be any other way? By May, vision is so much clearer, not unlike the skies of NE Ohio. Posted Apr 01 2006, 02:39 PM by Salinian with no comments

• This is not an April Fool's gag: "Let's get Favre."

  While it is true the month of April has just begun, an arrival celebrated with spoofs, gags, jokes, and mis-leading teases, this is, amazingly, not intended to be one. The last April Fool's joke in which I participated, in fact, was my1989 wedding; but even that produced two incredibly wonderful daughters of whom I am most proud. This year, the thought is, why not secure the two remaining offensive pieces this 2006 Cleveland Browns' lineup demands: a deep-threat WR and a proven QB leader? It is well-documented in a variety of locations that Green Bay passer Brett Favre is debating whether to return to the club for another season. Supposed deadlines have been adjusted to buy the reluctant Hall of Famer more time to deliberate. The Pack is the only professional team he has known, save a wasted rookie year under Jerry Glanville in Atl. In fact, Brett wears the number of the man for whom the stadium is named, Curly Lambeau. But Brett saw rampant decay in what had been an annual winner in Wisconsin and he endured his first losing campaign. He is not eager to return to another dismal outfit and he has to be particularly disturbed to note how his front office is sitting on about $25 mil of available cap space, doing seemingly nothing about correcting the flaws which undermined the 2005 edition. All three of his interior OL have departed in the past two free agent classes, off to Sunbelt cities armed with fortified contracts: Marco Rivera to Dallas, Mike Wahle to Carolina and Mike Flanagan this year to Houston. Clevelanders well know the pratfalls associated with an inadequate interior front wall. In another location---www.xanga.com/maleonard----I've detailed a proposal whereby the Browns acquire Packer wideout Javon Walker for an equitable return of current Browns. Today I wish to expand the proposition to include Favre's acquisition from the Packers for veteran passer Trent Dilfer. Yes, it is outrageous. Yes, it is fanciful. But, yes, it is plausible, do-able, reasonable and equitable. Here's how it would work: Brett is now stating this will be his last season professionally, if he returns at all. That does not put the Pack in an enviable position. It postpones the passing of the torch to last year's number one pick, Cal's Aaron Rodgers. It marries the organization to the same offensive system Favre has enjoyed during his tenure there. It may even discourage available vet free agents from signing on to play in one of the worst climates in America, especially inasmuch as the franchise may be about to decline precipitously once Favre steps aside. Longtime fans will recall a number of lean Packer seasons between Bart Starr and Brett Favre. It could happen again easily, especially without a Reggie White around to Pied-Piper a new generation of Packer volunteers. Green Bay would get Dennis Northcutt, Jeff Faine, Matt Stewart and Dilfer for Walker and the Packers' agreement to permit Favre to sign a new contract with Cleveland. While there is no comparison between Favre and Dilfer, Trent at least can be counted upon to be around awhile longer, mentoring Rodgers, if not holding the fort until the kid is game-ready. Were Favre to retire, as he still might, the Pack would be scrambling to secure a vet passer to assume the described role Dilfer would assume. As the xanga piece informs, the others would all fill voids in the current GB roster. What is in it for Brett? He clearly is coming to a club which seems headed in the right direction and one whose fans are as rabid about football as the place he's leaving behind. While he has said he does not relish the idea of going to a new town, learning a new system, uprooting his family and having to deal with the lofty expectations associated with being perceived as a franchise savior, he might also realize he and Javon would be virtually the final pieces, at least offensively, in what could realistically be a surprising upstart in the upcoming season. It should be remembered, however, that 10 wins in the AFC North would've been good for only third place in 2005. What is more, he may come to realize one season with weapons like Kellen Winslow, Jr., Braylon Edwards, Walker, Joe Jurevicius, Reuben Droughns and the front line GM Phil Savage is still assembling may not be enough to satisfy an acquired taste. A downfield TE has always been a staple of Favre's best teams and one he optimizes like few others. Favre's arrival would also permit Savage to focus almost exclusively upon his improving defense come Draft Day. With seven choices in the first five rounds, it is believable that side of the ball might approximate completeness by training camp. There are not many situations as inviting for a competitor such as Favre, particularly if he only has 1-2 more years of top-shelf ability remaining. Most about-to-win organizations are set at his position. His stance about  starting over probably discouraged Miami and NO  from pursuing him this spring; perhaps he's had ample opportunity to re-think the wisdom of that attitude. Even if Cleveland gets a single season out of Favre and fails to make the post-season---both of which are worst-case scenarios---the team benefits by having an experienced hand with all the requisite skills conducting its still-emerging offense. And youngster Charlie Frye gets to observe a  master at work, a privilege regrettably denied him heretofore. Lastly, a trade such as this one would demonstratively confirm ownership's desire to win as soon and as entertainingly as possible. It would surely put the club back into the national consciousness. The cost would be affordable, reasonable, equitable, and mutually-accomodating, with the last description the premise for the arrangement. It allows GB a graceful end to the prolonged sagas involving both Walker and Favre and gives Cleveland outstanding liquidation on expendable assets, while addressing existant needs on the Packer roster. However out-there such a proposition  may seem, I think it is worth investigating. A rare opportunity exists for the Cleveland Browns' franchise to make a quantum leap forward offensively. Here's hoping the front office looks seriously into making that giant step.   Posted Apr 01 2006, 09:41 AM by Salinian with 9 comment(s)