Johnny Football to Big D in 2015

Dallas Cowboys 2009 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I know the idea may initially seems pretty far-fetched, but if you take a closer look, and if the season progresses as it has been for the first half of the year, it is not that crazy to say “Johnny Football” in Big D could happen. 

Let us first examine the Cleveland Browns.  Consider that if current Cleveland Browns QB, Brian Hoyer, continues with the success he is having this season in Cleveland (don’t forget minus his top WR, Josh Gordon), coupled with being a free agent at the end of the season, how difficult will it be not to give him starter type money?.  If you give him clear cut starter money, then why keep Johnny Manziel?  Say the Cleveland Browns finish above 500 which would be their best record in recent memory. 

Would ownership really run the risk of letting the man who led the Browns to that record and possible playoff appearance walk out the door?  I seriously doubt it.     Hoyer would have the leverage of being unrestricted, only 30 at the start of next season.  He certainly would get a few phone calls from teams such as the Tennessee Titans (remember Ken Whisenhunt had him in Arizona his last year before the Wiz was fired), Arizona Cardinals (Carson is coming to the end), Miami Dolphins, NY Jets and some others would be interested in a young QB entering the prime of his career.  Ideally, Cleveland is probably the perfect situation for Hoyer, but if you give him starter money, then holding onto Manziel is likely a mistake to your long term success.

Now, if you are going to trade someone you have to have a trading partner and the Dallas Cowboys would certainly answer the call from the Cleveland Browns.   With the success Dallas has had this season, especially on offense where most top players are under the age of 28, the only thing missing is obvious long term “heirs apparent” to Tony Romo.   Tony Romo will be 35 at the start of the 2015 season and seems to constantly be battling injuries, (the back can go on any hit as we saw in the Washington game) so the clock is certainly ticking on the Cowboys’ legend career.  Johnny Manziel on the other hand turns 22 by the start of the 2015 season, so the team would still be able to bring him along at a slower pace making the transition that much smoother in Big D.

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Browns Sign Miles Austin and Earl Bennett

Miles Austin & Dez Bryant | Dallas Cowboys (Photo credit: Football Schedule)

With the pending suspension and cloudy future of one Josh Gordon the Cleveland Browns surveyed the market and found two of the best remaining wide receivers out there.   Personally, I would have placed a call to the Houston Texans just to see if they had any interest in dealing Andre Johnson.  Granted  they may have but the next step was to look over the market and bring in some proven commodities like Miles Austin and Earl Bennett. 

It was wise not to go down the Santonio Holmes road as he is not exactly what a rookie quarterback needs.   Austin and Bennett both come with their own issues but neither is a QB or team killer which is the last thing the Browns need.  Miles Austin, if healthy still has some good years left and could certainly recapture his Pro Bowl level form if his

2013 Cleveland Browns Free Agents

With a new regime a roster purge is almost a guarantee and if I were a GM of an opposing team in need of a wide receiver who can provide a boost to special teams I would keep an eye on Cleveland.   Some talent will be available if you know what you are doing.

Players:

Sheldon Brown         CB
Josh Cribbs               WR/KR
Phil Dawson              K
Scott Fujita                LB
Reggie Hodges           P
Brandon Jackson       RB
Josh Johnson             QB
Kaluka Maiava           LB
Mohamed Massquoi  WR
Juqua Parker              DL
Alex Smith                 TE
Raymond Ventrone    DB
Ben Watson               TE

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• Browns release DE Frostee Rucker
• Cleveland Browns Release DE Frostee Rucker

One to watch for Patriots fans:  Wheeling and Dealing

Ryan Mallett is loved by the Cleveland Browns general manager Mike Lombardi.  I've crunched the numbers and here is what I have.  Follow the bouncing ball.

They're not going to give you pick #6 in the draft for Ryan Mallett straight up.  My feeling is #6 is the key pick in this draft.  You're ahead of a team that needs an offensive tackle in Arizona.  The biggest riser is offensive tackle Eric Fisher of Central Michigan.  Teams are going to try to get ahead of the cardinals in the draft to get Fisher who looks like a plug and play long time blindside protector.  The Patriots offer Mallett and pick # 29 for pick #6 and Clevelands 3rd round pick.

How it benefits both teams:  Cleveland gets the quarterback they covet.  The Patriots get the hugest chip in the draft which is right up Bill Belichicks alley.  The Patriots will field calls at 6 from St Louis (2 1st rounders), San Diego, Miami, Chicago and Arizona.  Cleveland now doesn't have a 2nd or 3rd round pick but has the QB they need and at big trade spot.  Teams looking to get back into the first will give Cleveland a solid deal so the player they covet isn't off the board for Jacksonville to trade #33 the next night.  Jahvid Best and Doug Martin are examples of this situation working in the past.