Fire the defensive coordinator. Check. Fire the Special Teams coach. Check. Hopefully the Browns will hire a couple of coaches who are upgrades. Big check. It’s being reported today that the Browns have hired former special teams ace Bubba Ventrone. Just like the Jim Schwartz hire, this is a major upgrade. In his five years as special teams coach with the Colts, they finished in the top ten four times. If Cleveland’s special teams had been average last year, I contend they could’ve won three more games. Been then again, both Joe Woods and Mike Priefer would probably be still employed by the team. The Colts wanted to keep Ventrone, so the Browns also added assistant coach to his title. The Browns this week also hired Ephraim Banda as their safeties coach. Now the emphasis is on hiring a QB coach (Sean Ryan or James Urban) and some defensive coaches. They should have the staff complete by the start of the NFL combine on February 28.
In other news, the franchise tag period started on February 21. So far there’s only been speculation on those getting the big money tags. There have been reports DT Javon Hargrave, DT Da’ron Payne and DT Dre’Mont Jones may be tagged. I’m not concerned about these players because I’m of the believe they aren’t Browns targets. Too expensive. Think Matt Ioannidis, David Onyemata, Sheldon Rankins and Jarren Reed.
The first fire sale started yesterday. The Tennessee Titans released LT Taylor Lewan, WR Robert Woods, K Randy Bullock and LB Zach Cunningham. There are rumors edge Bud Dupree maybe designated as a post June 1st cut. Of these players, I know Browns GM Andrew Berry tried to acquire Woods before the Rams traded him to the Titans and I might take a flyer on Cunningham on a cheap contract. Because Jim Schwartz was employed by the Titans last year, players from the Titans will catch the eye of Browns fans. Of their free agents, LB Rashann Evans would be an upgrade as a starter, center Corey Levin, edge DeMarcus Walker and safety Andrew Adams would be good backup/rotational players. I have no interest in Lewan, he’s missed 18 games over the last three years and as for Dupree, only as a situational pass rusher at the league minimum.
As I said the combine starts next Tuesday. I’ve heard rumors the Browns are scheduling meetings with agents of pending Browns free agents. I’m not interested in how the draftable players perform; I’m interested in who the team meets with. Always a good indicator. Stay safe and Go Browns.