Why the Browns should explore moving Joe Thomas to a contender

Wiki Article

BOCA RATON, Fla. -- As NFL owners, coaches and general managers began arriving at the swanky Boca Raton Resort and Club for the leagues annual spring meeting, they did so with much of the offseasons significant transactions already behind them. A bevy trades last week punctuated what had become a largely dormant free-agent market, bereft of much star power and with the big money already spent.Thats not to say there wont be plenty of chatter with all of the leagues powerbrokers a sembled by the beach, and there Shawn Williams Jersey are at least two more potentially huge trades that could be completed between now and the NFL Draft at the end of next month. Both could actually involve the -- a team most synonymous with inactivity this league year -- although I am not really buying the Browns front office has much actual interest in , at least not close to the extent that it would require to actually execute a swap. However, there are plenty of execs who believe the Browns should and will explore moving veteran left tackle , one of the few valuable commodities they retain on a threadbare roster.First things first -- Thomas will never demand a trade. Its not who he is. Heck, he wont even request one. But, numerous sources have indicated to me, he would absolutely be welcome to the idea of being moved to a contender at this point, particularly after the Browns just left half of their remaining four starters along the offensive line walk in free agency. Cleveland is in the midst of yet another complete rebuild and they will quite likely be doing so with a rookie quarterback. The prospects of the Browns coming close to contending during the remainder of Thomass career are bleak even by their standards. Thomas will turn 32 at the end of the 2016 season and he is signed through Tyler Boyd Jersey 2019. He has e sentially $30 million left on his contract over the next three years, and given the recent spending spree that just went on, with guards being paid like tackles, etc., that is a bargain given how productive Thomas remains. But its become more clear than ever the Browns are prizing draft picks above all -- they have loaded up on 2017 compensatory picks whether by designs or frugality or a combination of both -- and they could conceivably swap Thomas, a player whose last best years will be Logan Woodside Jersey largely wasted on a team at the bottom of the AFC North, for a sets that could turn into multiple key starters.A year ago they turned down a first-round pick from Denver for Thomas after s injury -- it was baffling in real-time and even more shocking with a year of hindsight -- and the new regime, led by recast holdover Sashi Brown, would be smart to try like hell to get a first-round selection for Thomas ahead of the draft.Some in the organization believed dealing Thomas was going to end up as an offseason priority, though sources have said owner Jimmy Haslam seems le s interested in that move. For whatever the reason, there has been little movement on the matter to this point, but it would be downright silly for the Browns not to use this annual league meeting as an opportunity to determine a market and gather information. Trust me, its not like they have to worry about Thomas finding out theyre open to moving him and getting ticked off by it. If anything, Id anticipate the prospect excites him.Seattle, a team with an aggre sive and bold general manager in John Schneider, has an opening Russell Bodine Jersey at left tackle with injured moving on and the not making a move in free agency. This kind of swashbuckling deal -- with the Seahawks picking 26th and still firmly in Super Bowl-now mode -- would be right up his alley. Some of his peers see him as a prime trade partner, though league sources have indicated that the slew of big contracts handed out by the Seahawks probably has to stop at some point, and they did just deal their top pick to take on tight end s huge deal a year ago.It doesnt appear likely at this point, though with someone as cunning as Schneider I wouldnt entirely rule it out, either. You could make a case for several contenders to at least mull such a move. Would it make Vontaze Burfict Jersey sense for the to cut bait on oft-injured and take a run at Thomas? It would take some cap gymnastics and the Browns might loathe dealing with a division rival and Baltimore wouldnt be moving their high 2016 pick in any trade like this. So Id call it highly doubtful, but worth pointing out.Would it make sense for the , who arent exactly sold on , to try to upgrade and really secure the blindside of emerging quarterback ? Perhaps move Kalil and a pick to do so? Food for thought, at least.Heaven knows Carolina could use better bookends to protect , as evidenced in the Super Bowl, and they have a very late pick in the first round. Can they survive another year with ? Heck, at the rate New England has been flipping players, I couldnt even entirely rule them out of this sort of sweepstakes. Perhaps the could move one of their younger tackles as part of a trade for Thomas, or for something else. Some of these cap situations may be tight, but if I am an interested team Im exploring this trade regardle s and Thomas might be willing to get creative with his agents to facilitate a deal as well. Converting Thomass high base salaries to a signing bonus creates some immediate relief and the guaranteed portions of his contract have already been paid.But given what has transpired in Cleveland this month -- or, more to the point, what hasnt transpired in regards to any sort of move to improve the roster -- I would think any smart, contending franchise with something of a need at tackle would be trying to get some time with Clevelands rookie general manager this week. I know I would be.Will someone pull the trigger and Ryan Finley Jersey deal for Kaepernick?If Colin Kaepernick is going to get dealt, this would be a good week to lay the foundation. I still hear the Broncos as being the team most interested in actually getting something done and, in the end, other clubs seem willing to call the ' bluff about keeping the disgruntled quarterback, going ahead and guaranteeing him that $12 million he is due while coming off three surgeries and actually to move forward with Kaepernick as their starter and attempt to rebuild shattered relationships and trust i sues. The Broncos don't seem overly concerned about their poor quarterback position. Numerous execs and agents who have been in contact with John Elway say he is just as cool in private about the situation as he appears publically. I wouldn't bet on him over-bidding on Kaepernick and if does end up taking a flier on someone like , I would expect it to be at Ja'Marr Chase Jersey the team's price. It's fairly telling that with winning teams like the and Broncos without a starting quarterback right now, there is literally no buzz whatsoever about . It's like his play and that contract have made him toxic. You hear more rumbling about guys like and than you do Foles. Of the remaining free agents, one who could still help a team is corner . He may end up taking another short-term deal in the end, but he played well for San Diego last year.
https://brooksthvh21975.scrappingwiki.com/182749/pacers_internal_strife_should_lead_franchise_to_a_sorely_needed_reboot
Click here Click here Click here