Ok well on day one Phil landed a potential franchise QB, a stud LT, and a stud CB, both of whome will make immediate impacts. The GMs, ex-coaches, and players on NFL network are rating this job as maybe the best one done by any personnel guy in the NFL. I'm sure that many of you know better.
The second day yielded more depth at corner with upside, and three players they hope will eventually become real contributors DO YOU UNDERSTAND THEY ARE SIXTH AND SEVENTH ROUND DRAFT CHOICES DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
The kick returner/wide reciever dude is actually very talented, if not exactly a burner. He slid because he is a shortie: 5'8"--although he weighs 195. Steptoe! Yeah that's the guy! He's a longshot, but I think there's more to his selection than meets the eye.
The info I can get on him is sparse right now, but he caught a lot of passes and averaged over 10 yards per catch. As it stands, all the Browns front-line recievers are skyscrapers, and he is a smurf. Some of the Coaches I hear from like to mix in a smurf-type to keep a defense on it's heels.
Today, defenses commonly prioritize height in cornerbacks, and sometimes don't have a guy who can juke and jive with a smurf, who can get separation. Everybody else is already shovelling dirt on the dude, but I think it's possible I SAID POSSIBLE that he could show up here and there on third downs this season.
And for all I know, they might be looking at him as a third down BACK.
But yeah...longshot.
Now the two DE's are more interesting. Both are 274-278 lbs., but could get bigger. Both are tough against the run, and piled up nice total tackles and tackles for losses, showing good range and instincts for the position. Both only started a couple years.
Now Pittman--he will stand up to double-teams and is good at disengaging from blockers. The knocks against them are all based on his playing a 4-3 RDE--not a 3-4 DE. At the combine, he showed a surprising first step in the pass-rush, only exclusively went outside. But he was effective taking on blocks and tracking down the run.
He is solidly built but ill-defined, meaning he doesn't pump much iron. His strength is natural, and in it's football application, he takes on much bigger guys. He does absolutely have the tools to at least become a rotational DE here in a year or two DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
I have almost notheing on Purcell right now, but what I got suggests that he is similar. These are both guys who might get cut in training camp, or otherwise end up on the practice squad to emerge (or not) after at least one, and possibly a couple, seasons.
They were taken as projects. This is Phil taking calculated risks building emergent depth for the future. The future is, like, not yet. It hasn't occurred yet, and isn't happening now, either. Ok, well later on the sun will go down, and then...ah, nevermind. It's like describing colors to blind people.
Now I can't wait for the unsigned free agents. There are always some gems there. In fact here, they often bump the sixth and seventh rounders off the roster. Then, there will be another round of free agents. Might be some decent depth or rent-a-starters there, too.
Also, I always notice stuff others don't--especially when pinching pennies:
Phil surrendered the first round draft pick next season to move up for Quinn. Well, this means he won't have to PAY that guy. He can spend that money on another stud veteran free agent, see?
This needn't actually hurt the team at all.
Check out what New England is doing. They're really good drafting, yes, but here they just grabbed Randy Moss. Lavernius Coles before, Daute Stallworth, a stud pass-catching TE--
By the way, they're going for all the marbles again. Amazing, aint it? This is what Savage is trying to do, and to do it the same way. If you EVER ONCE suggested that he was any part of the problem, you should be taken out and shot. (Nothing personal. It's about the gene pool.) He started right here, hired by Belichick.
And please quit saying "they haven't" done this or done that for like fifteen years. Savage and Crennel have only been here for a couple years. There isn't equipment installed in their offices brainwashing them to do exactly what Butch Davis, Palmer, or whoever the hell else did before they got here.
It's getting old, hearing Savage and Crennel bashed for stuff they had nothing to do with. Clear thinking. Logic. Please!
You stand corrected.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Reply To Bub:
Thanks for actually posting a comment. I was suffocating in my vacuum. I know you guys aren't as obsessive as me, but like I said, compare me to Grossi or those other guys.
I felt kind of similar about Quinn. I mean, I keep hearing about the big-game stuff, and two or more inexplicable passes per game. But it's hard to argue with his stats, and most importantly, the vast improvement in them between '05 and 'o6.
They need to quit reciting his overall stats and isolate the '06 ones, which are a more reliable indicator of his present ability and potential. Now, I'm also starting to wonder what game tapes Mike Mayock and the other people I respect were looking at when evaluating them. Were they from '06? First or second half of '06?
He only threw seven picks in '06--61% completions.
Third overall? I was screaming "NOOO!" at both him and Peterson--but at 22?
The biggest, hugest thing about Quinn, which has never been contradicted, is his quick release. Charlie had me tearing my hair out again and again last season as Donovan went on and on, filling the space between "back to pass" and "sacked".
Randy Cross and other offensive linemen say of that: "We NOTICE that." That's because all the nimrods who can't count seconds blame the offensive line for eleven second sacks. Jim Miller says a quarterback who gets rid of the ball quickly makes an offensive line look good, and they love him for it. He makes their jobs easier. One thing Quinn will do is get rid of the damn ball.
And come on, ya know? Winslow, Edwards, Jurevicious--and nobody's open? Yeah, right.
But I do still think that Anderson is different. HE got rid of it. The bad guys never actually shut him down until his last game--until that 5 interception game, he was racking up some good stats, and delivering under pressure.
I gotta hope for Frye. I can't count him out--his light might go on or something.
But all in all I do agree with you: If you have to place a bet on somebody, it ought to be a guy a whole lot of very smart people think will kick butt.
And I remind you: Half his name is "Brady"--case closed.
I felt kind of similar about Quinn. I mean, I keep hearing about the big-game stuff, and two or more inexplicable passes per game. But it's hard to argue with his stats, and most importantly, the vast improvement in them between '05 and 'o6.
They need to quit reciting his overall stats and isolate the '06 ones, which are a more reliable indicator of his present ability and potential. Now, I'm also starting to wonder what game tapes Mike Mayock and the other people I respect were looking at when evaluating them. Were they from '06? First or second half of '06?
He only threw seven picks in '06--61% completions.
Third overall? I was screaming "NOOO!" at both him and Peterson--but at 22?
The biggest, hugest thing about Quinn, which has never been contradicted, is his quick release. Charlie had me tearing my hair out again and again last season as Donovan went on and on, filling the space between "back to pass" and "sacked".
Randy Cross and other offensive linemen say of that: "We NOTICE that." That's because all the nimrods who can't count seconds blame the offensive line for eleven second sacks. Jim Miller says a quarterback who gets rid of the ball quickly makes an offensive line look good, and they love him for it. He makes their jobs easier. One thing Quinn will do is get rid of the damn ball.
And come on, ya know? Winslow, Edwards, Jurevicious--and nobody's open? Yeah, right.
But I do still think that Anderson is different. HE got rid of it. The bad guys never actually shut him down until his last game--until that 5 interception game, he was racking up some good stats, and delivering under pressure.
I gotta hope for Frye. I can't count him out--his light might go on or something.
But all in all I do agree with you: If you have to place a bet on somebody, it ought to be a guy a whole lot of very smart people think will kick butt.
And I remind you: Half his name is "Brady"--case closed.
I Stand Corrected. Dammit.
One of the critical things an intelligent analyst must learn is humility. You don't "stick to your guns" when you find out you were wro...wronnn....incorrect. In the area I was trained to work, this sort of thing kills good people. By the way, this includes you, if you're determined to consider me full of beans.
Greg Hensley is one of my key Browns sources. He has tons of insight, and comprehends the game and the team in detail. Natually, he and I agree a lot--but that's only because the truth is what the truth is.
I wrote that Joe Thomas was a really good in-line blocker, but needed work in space. I got that out of one of these stupid draft guides and the internet, because that's all I could get on him. I massively mistrust these sources, but had to go on what was available.
Well, thanks to the Greg-man, I now know that my alarm bells were correct, and that that statement is diametricly wrong. Thomas excells at blocking downfield and in space, but sometimes gets stood-up when drive-blocking.
I should have listened to my alarm bells when I read something that didn't make much sense, from sources who are so often full of crap. Logic says that a basketball player with excellent balance, speed, and footwork would be very good in space. I suspect that one idiot lazily wrote the analysis backwards and the other knuckleheads all copied him. It is fortunate that this person is not responsible for estimating the size, armament, and disposition of a hostile force, because he would get a bunch of marines massacred.
My bad, and I was a dumbass.
Greg tells me that his legs got kind of weak when he was recovering from his ACL surgery. I also saw a photo of him, finally, and saw a tight end. I agree with Greg that he will easily add another fifteen pounds (of muscle, not lard), and play with the same speed and agility at 325 or maybe 330.
He was 310 as of the combine, but I'd expect him to be more like 315 by training camp, with much of his leg-strength back, as he continues to work out.
OK: Brandon McDonald is one of the good zone corners I mentioned. Here is another two-year starter. He's 5'11" and 180. He's fast and athletic. He's not very good in man, but is solid in zone, with much upside. He went lower because of his relative inexperience and his size. He should build up to 190 or more.
One of the draft-guide knocks on him is that he's weak against the run. Yeah, I remember that's what they wrote about McCutcheon, the best tackler on the team every year. This could be correct, or not. Assuming it is, NFL weight training might cure it.
He is here for depth, special teams, and as a developmental guy. Do you understand this? Are you going to bash Phil half way through the season when he's not playing a lot on defense? The fact is, he might never even become more than a fourth cornerback--especially here, with Minter, Wright, Bodden, and Holly. Here, if he's a fifth, cool.
He was not taken in the fourth, third, second, or first round. He was not payed a massive free agent contract. If all he ever does here is play special teams, he is not a bust DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
Ok but talent, athleticism, and brains are all present. Upside and potential are there, and his lack of college experience will HELP him here in a year or two DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
This being said, should the entire cornerback corps get annihilated by injuries again, even this season, the team (in only its third year) is much better prepeared depth-wise, because this kid already knows zone, and can cover in it.
Now, "The Bowns still have a hole at running back", "They need a home-run hitter who can catch passes and complement Lewis".
CORRECTION: Jerome "the Ghost" Harrison is not here to be a paperweight. His one and only problem last season was an inability to block in pass protection. He was a speed-bump. His true weight was (WAS), I think...W A S 197-200 lbs., and it was clear he was no gym rat, ya know?
He'll have had a year of NFL strength training and nutrition, plus a bag of dirty tricks, when he returns for his second season. Here again, the reasons he slid WERE his size and inability to pass-protect. These were also the reasons why Savage, looking down the road a year or two and factoring in what he would become as he developed, matured, and grew, was able to STEAL him that low.
Harrison is a home-run hitter, the exact opposite of Lewis. As a third down back, he'll be ready. He doesn't have to even pass-block if he can catch an outlet pass from a QB who knows when to GET RID OF THE DAMN BALL. Any residual weakenss in pass-protection means a lot less in a two-back with a fullback or Lewis, too.
And I can't help it, I really like that Jason Wright kid. All he does, every time he gets a chance, is deliver. I don't know how he does it, but he just does, like Byner did. I don't care what all these local beat writers and columnists think--that kid is quality depth who can spell Lewis periodicly and still move the ball.
I wouldn't mind another running back, if he's more a workhorse-type, or is really spectacular at something, or shows the potential to eventually replace Lewis, but "hole"? "Need"?
You stand corrected. Right, Greg?
Greg Hensley is one of my key Browns sources. He has tons of insight, and comprehends the game and the team in detail. Natually, he and I agree a lot--but that's only because the truth is what the truth is.
I wrote that Joe Thomas was a really good in-line blocker, but needed work in space. I got that out of one of these stupid draft guides and the internet, because that's all I could get on him. I massively mistrust these sources, but had to go on what was available.
Well, thanks to the Greg-man, I now know that my alarm bells were correct, and that that statement is diametricly wrong. Thomas excells at blocking downfield and in space, but sometimes gets stood-up when drive-blocking.
I should have listened to my alarm bells when I read something that didn't make much sense, from sources who are so often full of crap. Logic says that a basketball player with excellent balance, speed, and footwork would be very good in space. I suspect that one idiot lazily wrote the analysis backwards and the other knuckleheads all copied him. It is fortunate that this person is not responsible for estimating the size, armament, and disposition of a hostile force, because he would get a bunch of marines massacred.
My bad, and I was a dumbass.
Greg tells me that his legs got kind of weak when he was recovering from his ACL surgery. I also saw a photo of him, finally, and saw a tight end. I agree with Greg that he will easily add another fifteen pounds (of muscle, not lard), and play with the same speed and agility at 325 or maybe 330.
He was 310 as of the combine, but I'd expect him to be more like 315 by training camp, with much of his leg-strength back, as he continues to work out.
OK: Brandon McDonald is one of the good zone corners I mentioned. Here is another two-year starter. He's 5'11" and 180. He's fast and athletic. He's not very good in man, but is solid in zone, with much upside. He went lower because of his relative inexperience and his size. He should build up to 190 or more.
One of the draft-guide knocks on him is that he's weak against the run. Yeah, I remember that's what they wrote about McCutcheon, the best tackler on the team every year. This could be correct, or not. Assuming it is, NFL weight training might cure it.
He is here for depth, special teams, and as a developmental guy. Do you understand this? Are you going to bash Phil half way through the season when he's not playing a lot on defense? The fact is, he might never even become more than a fourth cornerback--especially here, with Minter, Wright, Bodden, and Holly. Here, if he's a fifth, cool.
He was not taken in the fourth, third, second, or first round. He was not payed a massive free agent contract. If all he ever does here is play special teams, he is not a bust DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
Ok but talent, athleticism, and brains are all present. Upside and potential are there, and his lack of college experience will HELP him here in a year or two DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
This being said, should the entire cornerback corps get annihilated by injuries again, even this season, the team (in only its third year) is much better prepeared depth-wise, because this kid already knows zone, and can cover in it.
Now, "The Bowns still have a hole at running back", "They need a home-run hitter who can catch passes and complement Lewis".
CORRECTION: Jerome "the Ghost" Harrison is not here to be a paperweight. His one and only problem last season was an inability to block in pass protection. He was a speed-bump. His true weight was (WAS), I think...W A S 197-200 lbs., and it was clear he was no gym rat, ya know?
He'll have had a year of NFL strength training and nutrition, plus a bag of dirty tricks, when he returns for his second season. Here again, the reasons he slid WERE his size and inability to pass-protect. These were also the reasons why Savage, looking down the road a year or two and factoring in what he would become as he developed, matured, and grew, was able to STEAL him that low.
Harrison is a home-run hitter, the exact opposite of Lewis. As a third down back, he'll be ready. He doesn't have to even pass-block if he can catch an outlet pass from a QB who knows when to GET RID OF THE DAMN BALL. Any residual weakenss in pass-protection means a lot less in a two-back with a fullback or Lewis, too.
And I can't help it, I really like that Jason Wright kid. All he does, every time he gets a chance, is deliver. I don't know how he does it, but he just does, like Byner did. I don't care what all these local beat writers and columnists think--that kid is quality depth who can spell Lewis periodicly and still move the ball.
I wouldn't mind another running back, if he's more a workhorse-type, or is really spectacular at something, or shows the potential to eventually replace Lewis, but "hole"? "Need"?
You stand corrected. Right, Greg?
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Antwan Peek Correction
"Antwan Peek will be used as a situational pass-rusher".
CORRECTION:
Antwan Peek was the fourth-ranked outside linebacker in the 2003 draft. He alternated between playing DE and linebacker in college, and had only two years starting experience when drafted by the Texans for their 3-4 defense.
A new regime converted ro a 4-3, and Peek was injured. He played in that 4-3 as a situational passrusher--and a pretty good one.
In the Browns THREE-FOUR DEFENSE, Peek (called by several scouts the most underrated of all the free agents) will be a situational player in any given damn situation as an outside linebacker dammit.
McKinnest is old, and if retained will be a part-time fill-in guy and on-field de-facto coach. McMillan, the DE 'tweener drafted low in Savage's first draft, may or may not contend for a starting role, but lacks Peek's experience, athleticism, and speed. HE might be a situational passrusher and back-up.
The 3-4 defense is most effective when BOTH the outside linebackers are DE/LB 'tweeners. It can instantly transform itself into a 5-2, Bear defense, etc. with a variety of monkey wrenches for an offense. DE's have different skill-sets than normal linebackers, and can defeat offensive tackles where normal linebackers, relying more on finesse and speed, could not. (Clay Matthews was an exception).
Leon Williams, currently listed as the second weak inside linebacker, is the only other certain contender for the slot opposite Wimbley. Williams may actually be too talented in every phase of the game to leave off the field, and might force a change to the base scheme. Williams is a true linebacker, different that Peek. More capable in coverage, changes directions better, faster.
But Williams can play any of the four linebacker slots here, and might do exactly that, while Peek is the predominant OLB opposite Wimbley. Williams might be used more vs. a faster pass-catching TE.
A rotation of OLB's is most likely, with Peek on the field about half the time; more vs. some offenses and less vs. others. But he is a quite capable 3-4 OLB who should be integral to any such rotation, if not the main bookend for Wimbley.
You ASSume too much. Because there were no trumpets and you saw no confetti when he was signed, you yawned and said "another depth guy". If he can play a few games before he falls down the stairs and gets a staph infection, you'll hear his name a lot and wonder who he is.
Who he is is one of the better 3-4 OLB's in the NFL, and who he isn't is a situational pass-rusher.
YOU STAND CORRECTED.
OOPS! Sorry, Chaun Thompson! Ok Chaun can play outside on either side, but was drafted for, and is better suited to, a 4-3 defense. He's become a damn-good all-around linebacker, especially in coverage.
It's just that here, Williams has his abilties, plus more muscle and a better use of leverage. While Thompson (trade-bait hint-hint) could start outside in many 4-3 defenses, or inside in a cover 2, in this 3-4 which now includes Williams, he'll be a coverage guy and rotational player.
But Peek is the only true protopypical 3-4 OLB here. So there!
CORRECTION:
Antwan Peek was the fourth-ranked outside linebacker in the 2003 draft. He alternated between playing DE and linebacker in college, and had only two years starting experience when drafted by the Texans for their 3-4 defense.
A new regime converted ro a 4-3, and Peek was injured. He played in that 4-3 as a situational passrusher--and a pretty good one.
In the Browns THREE-FOUR DEFENSE, Peek (called by several scouts the most underrated of all the free agents) will be a situational player in any given damn situation as an outside linebacker dammit.
McKinnest is old, and if retained will be a part-time fill-in guy and on-field de-facto coach. McMillan, the DE 'tweener drafted low in Savage's first draft, may or may not contend for a starting role, but lacks Peek's experience, athleticism, and speed. HE might be a situational passrusher and back-up.
The 3-4 defense is most effective when BOTH the outside linebackers are DE/LB 'tweeners. It can instantly transform itself into a 5-2, Bear defense, etc. with a variety of monkey wrenches for an offense. DE's have different skill-sets than normal linebackers, and can defeat offensive tackles where normal linebackers, relying more on finesse and speed, could not. (Clay Matthews was an exception).
Leon Williams, currently listed as the second weak inside linebacker, is the only other certain contender for the slot opposite Wimbley. Williams may actually be too talented in every phase of the game to leave off the field, and might force a change to the base scheme. Williams is a true linebacker, different that Peek. More capable in coverage, changes directions better, faster.
But Williams can play any of the four linebacker slots here, and might do exactly that, while Peek is the predominant OLB opposite Wimbley. Williams might be used more vs. a faster pass-catching TE.
A rotation of OLB's is most likely, with Peek on the field about half the time; more vs. some offenses and less vs. others. But he is a quite capable 3-4 OLB who should be integral to any such rotation, if not the main bookend for Wimbley.
You ASSume too much. Because there were no trumpets and you saw no confetti when he was signed, you yawned and said "another depth guy". If he can play a few games before he falls down the stairs and gets a staph infection, you'll hear his name a lot and wonder who he is.
Who he is is one of the better 3-4 OLB's in the NFL, and who he isn't is a situational pass-rusher.
YOU STAND CORRECTED.
OOPS! Sorry, Chaun Thompson! Ok Chaun can play outside on either side, but was drafted for, and is better suited to, a 4-3 defense. He's become a damn-good all-around linebacker, especially in coverage.
It's just that here, Williams has his abilties, plus more muscle and a better use of leverage. While Thompson (trade-bait hint-hint) could start outside in many 4-3 defenses, or inside in a cover 2, in this 3-4 which now includes Williams, he'll be a coverage guy and rotational player.
But Peek is the only true protopypical 3-4 OLB here. So there!
A third and fourth--are you outta your damn MIND?
Phil what the hell are you doing!? There were plenty of decent cornerbacks in this draft! You just coughed up Allemon or Tank Tyler or somebody!
I checked some blogs--some of the lynch-mob are saying you shouldn't draft drug-addicted rapists! Are you sure somebody would have taken him that high? Gimme a break you know damn well all the hysteria about an urgent need at cornerback is a hallucination.
Wait (gasp...ohhmmmm......ohmmmm-sigh...)
Ok I'll crunch this more later. Right now I've got to beat the Barbarians back:
Ok I agree that is was dumb to surrender a third and fourth...wait...wait a minute....
I agree that is was questionable. But quit with this "rape" stuff. He was never actually even charged, I don't think. I had a cousin who was accused of rape, too. Know what it was? She was mad at him and using the law to punish him. Admitted it. Had to clear it up with the FBI when he was going to Annapolis. Fortunately, the authorities weren't BUTTHEADS, like you.
Yeah, he had the ecstacy when he was nineteen. He was a dumbass. I was a far worse dumbass at his age. In fact I think I was still a dumbass til I was 40 or so. Ok-ok, I still am, but he was 19. He's an A student and a model citezen of Las Vegas. All his coaches and team-mates think so. Everybody who ever met him thinks so.
My God, when you people get ahold of something, you just never let go! Get a hobby!
Now, here's me stepping away from my emotional reaction and visceral disagreement, and putting myself in Phil's shoes (an ability my mother taught me, God bless her). I mean, I want to just keep bitching about the good cornerbacks available later on and the potential starting guard and/or DE he just threw away, but that's being a butthead, so:
Ok well Wright didn't start that many games, and is not a finished product. Bad, you say?
CORRECTION: With twelve more starts or so, this is a solid middle or even high first rounder; possible the best cornerback in this draft. Despite his relative inexperience, he would still have been a first-rounder were it NOT for the incidents you're now obsessing about. Yes, Phil coughed up two draft picks to move up, but he got a FIRST ROUND TALENT IN THE SECOND ROUND DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
You stand corrected.
You can't coach speed, and this is a world-class sprinter. He's got the hips, the fluidity, the reflexes, the temperament, and the brains. In a man defense, he's an insta-starter, you know that? Man coverage is raw reactions--you just stick to your guy, period. Since much slot coverage is man, a guy like this jumps right in. They tell him, "Cover this guy", and he can.
He is also a capable returner. We don't have any 4.37, 195 lb. returners right now. Actually, we never had any of those! Somebody else has one. I think his name is Devon Hester.
Raw players are better for the long-term than "polished" players, because their polishing is done IN THE NFL, and within the specific system they're to play in. Against pros. As early as next season, this guy could go to the Pro Bowl. Even if he's just the third cornerback and a gunner on special teams, he makes both the coverage units and the secondary a LOT BETTER, right NOW.
Ok now: what we really gave up...one pick, really. Say we couldn't have got him in the third round. We gave up two picks for one player. Jeez...I read in a blogsite "all those picks" and it stuck in my head. Damn you buttheads for infecting me with that reactive garbage! (ohhhmmm...)
Allright, allright. So what we gave up was the fourth rounder. Ok, maybe a decent guard, or a 3-4 DE. Ok yeah, that hurts, but...
Well, unmistakeably, this upgrades special teams and the defense, maybe signifacantly. 3-wide offenses are so common these days that Wright, as the nickel back (even half the time) would be on the field at least 33% of the time. The nickel corner, alligned on the slot, is closest to the backfield.
3-wide or spread offenses are meant to create running lanes inside. When it's a run, it's often close to that guy. One who can stop a backpedal and close fast is valuable. And trust Grantham--he would blitze sometimes. Hell, he'd beat the quarterback to the ball! But just having him on the field, and near the middle of it, means he can close on the ball wherever it is or goes.
Cutch excelled over the slot, but he was shorter, lighter, and slower. Wright can BUMP the guy, because he has the recovery speed to catch up when he misses. He can play closer to the line (and the backfield).
And who said it had to be a year before he could start outside? Maybe sooner. And maybe now we run an even mix of man and zone, rather than predominant zone--so the whole scheme changes. Man coverage means you can blitze more, because it's not as dangerous. Remember Dixon and Minnifield? Sack city! Remember?
And check what Phil has been doing out: Before, he took care of safety first, then last season took three linebackers to form solid units. Now, this one player takes care of cornerback, and the Browns suddenly have one of the most formidable secondaries and linebacker corps' in the NFL. (If you're smirking at that, there's something wrong with you. Outside of your lynch-mob, the Pros I listen to recognize this.)
If Bentley hadn't gone down, can you IMAGINE the offensive line we'd have? Has he BEEN ignoring the offensive line, really, or is that another of your hallucinations? Or do you think Bentley's injury was Phil's fault? Too bad you can't blame him for Winslow's, too.
Ok so in the third, he might have got a good zone corner and in the fourth a guard who might start. The corner couldn't compare with Wright, of course. Might be another Minter. Pretty good; solid. The guard might be good, but remember the zone-blocking people we already have here. (By the way, so far I'm the only person on the planet who expects a Denver-like blocking scheme). These are not prototype linemen.
I think what we got here is better. The Browns defense, if not complete, is very close to it. It is now also much faster.
And (I just turned it back on) the guys on NFL Radio are still raving about what a genius Savage is. What do you know that they don't?
OK now take your ropes and torches and go party or something.
You stand corrected. Me too.
I checked some blogs--some of the lynch-mob are saying you shouldn't draft drug-addicted rapists! Are you sure somebody would have taken him that high? Gimme a break you know damn well all the hysteria about an urgent need at cornerback is a hallucination.
Wait (gasp...ohhmmmm......ohmmmm-sigh...)
Ok I'll crunch this more later. Right now I've got to beat the Barbarians back:
Ok I agree that is was dumb to surrender a third and fourth...wait...wait a minute....
I agree that is was questionable. But quit with this "rape" stuff. He was never actually even charged, I don't think. I had a cousin who was accused of rape, too. Know what it was? She was mad at him and using the law to punish him. Admitted it. Had to clear it up with the FBI when he was going to Annapolis. Fortunately, the authorities weren't BUTTHEADS, like you.
Yeah, he had the ecstacy when he was nineteen. He was a dumbass. I was a far worse dumbass at his age. In fact I think I was still a dumbass til I was 40 or so. Ok-ok, I still am, but he was 19. He's an A student and a model citezen of Las Vegas. All his coaches and team-mates think so. Everybody who ever met him thinks so.
My God, when you people get ahold of something, you just never let go! Get a hobby!
Now, here's me stepping away from my emotional reaction and visceral disagreement, and putting myself in Phil's shoes (an ability my mother taught me, God bless her). I mean, I want to just keep bitching about the good cornerbacks available later on and the potential starting guard and/or DE he just threw away, but that's being a butthead, so:
Ok well Wright didn't start that many games, and is not a finished product. Bad, you say?
CORRECTION: With twelve more starts or so, this is a solid middle or even high first rounder; possible the best cornerback in this draft. Despite his relative inexperience, he would still have been a first-rounder were it NOT for the incidents you're now obsessing about. Yes, Phil coughed up two draft picks to move up, but he got a FIRST ROUND TALENT IN THE SECOND ROUND DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
You stand corrected.
You can't coach speed, and this is a world-class sprinter. He's got the hips, the fluidity, the reflexes, the temperament, and the brains. In a man defense, he's an insta-starter, you know that? Man coverage is raw reactions--you just stick to your guy, period. Since much slot coverage is man, a guy like this jumps right in. They tell him, "Cover this guy", and he can.
He is also a capable returner. We don't have any 4.37, 195 lb. returners right now. Actually, we never had any of those! Somebody else has one. I think his name is Devon Hester.
Raw players are better for the long-term than "polished" players, because their polishing is done IN THE NFL, and within the specific system they're to play in. Against pros. As early as next season, this guy could go to the Pro Bowl. Even if he's just the third cornerback and a gunner on special teams, he makes both the coverage units and the secondary a LOT BETTER, right NOW.
Ok now: what we really gave up...one pick, really. Say we couldn't have got him in the third round. We gave up two picks for one player. Jeez...I read in a blogsite "all those picks" and it stuck in my head. Damn you buttheads for infecting me with that reactive garbage! (ohhhmmm...)
Allright, allright. So what we gave up was the fourth rounder. Ok, maybe a decent guard, or a 3-4 DE. Ok yeah, that hurts, but...
Well, unmistakeably, this upgrades special teams and the defense, maybe signifacantly. 3-wide offenses are so common these days that Wright, as the nickel back (even half the time) would be on the field at least 33% of the time. The nickel corner, alligned on the slot, is closest to the backfield.
3-wide or spread offenses are meant to create running lanes inside. When it's a run, it's often close to that guy. One who can stop a backpedal and close fast is valuable. And trust Grantham--he would blitze sometimes. Hell, he'd beat the quarterback to the ball! But just having him on the field, and near the middle of it, means he can close on the ball wherever it is or goes.
Cutch excelled over the slot, but he was shorter, lighter, and slower. Wright can BUMP the guy, because he has the recovery speed to catch up when he misses. He can play closer to the line (and the backfield).
And who said it had to be a year before he could start outside? Maybe sooner. And maybe now we run an even mix of man and zone, rather than predominant zone--so the whole scheme changes. Man coverage means you can blitze more, because it's not as dangerous. Remember Dixon and Minnifield? Sack city! Remember?
And check what Phil has been doing out: Before, he took care of safety first, then last season took three linebackers to form solid units. Now, this one player takes care of cornerback, and the Browns suddenly have one of the most formidable secondaries and linebacker corps' in the NFL. (If you're smirking at that, there's something wrong with you. Outside of your lynch-mob, the Pros I listen to recognize this.)
If Bentley hadn't gone down, can you IMAGINE the offensive line we'd have? Has he BEEN ignoring the offensive line, really, or is that another of your hallucinations? Or do you think Bentley's injury was Phil's fault? Too bad you can't blame him for Winslow's, too.
Ok so in the third, he might have got a good zone corner and in the fourth a guard who might start. The corner couldn't compare with Wright, of course. Might be another Minter. Pretty good; solid. The guard might be good, but remember the zone-blocking people we already have here. (By the way, so far I'm the only person on the planet who expects a Denver-like blocking scheme). These are not prototype linemen.
I think what we got here is better. The Browns defense, if not complete, is very close to it. It is now also much faster.
And (I just turned it back on) the guys on NFL Radio are still raving about what a genius Savage is. What do you know that they don't?
OK now take your ropes and torches and go party or something.
You stand corrected. Me too.
Day One: DAYum!
First, I would like to thank my esteemed colleague, Bub, for his concise dissertation. Brevity is the soul of wit. Or something. Anyway I concur.
Now then: Just as I predicted, they took Joe Thomas, Quinn, and Wright. Unfortunately, I can't prove this, since some nefarious imitator seems to have hacked the site and rewritten everything.
Yes, well anyway, when they took Thomas, I was niether overjoyed nor disappointed. I mean, he IS pretty much a can't miss. Please, no comparisons to left tackle busts. Like Ferguson last season, Thomas is a basketball player and track star. He's not a big fat guy. For several years, being able to run over people somehow crept into the priority list for the left tackle, so if you haven't got an extra 30 or so lbs. of lard, you need not apply.
Fifth? Somebody took Levi Brown. Real road grader! 5.4 40. Kamerion Wimbley looks foreward to playing them.
I immediately thought "zone-blocking". Thomas has the tools to do that, although he needs some work in space. If they move Shaffer to the other side, zone-blocking is a lock, because he's too small to be a normal right tackle.
However, there's a lot of salary here, and rather than being moved, it's possible that Shaffer will be REmoved. I mean, with what they're paying Stenbach, and now Thomas...boy that's a LOT if you toss in what Shaffer is being overpaid!
A zone line can get away with one big, slow goon, as in Tucker, his back-up, and the 340 lb. untility backup guy.
By the way, some knucklehead on another team told Thomas they might make him a right tackle. Do you believe that? And no, no southpaw QB.
Thomas is KNOWN as THE best pass-blocker in this draft. He's also a good in-line run-blocker--but the most important thing is that he, right next to Stenbach, can form a nearly impenetrable barrier behind the QB's back.
This does not mean that pressure can't come from the inside or the right, of course, but there the QB can see it. After thinking about it, I decided that this was a good pick. That's the whole left side of the line all set for several years, and instant help. Shaffer's deal is now two years old. Maybe they can get something for him--unless he'll be reasonable and renegotiate. He would be pretty good at running upfield to smash safeties, and although he could be bull-rushed, he's quick enough to keep the bigger guys on the strong side from getting around him.
Well, we'll see. Money matters, ya know. I was thinking about being "Jack Benny" here.
Then, as soon as the guys on NFL radio said "trade" and "Cleveland", I knew it was for Quinn. I said I didn't want to take him third overall, but at number...what--22? THAT's a deal! Now we get to underpay him with an extremely long contract!
Forget the second round pick. The first next year? Ok well that hurts. But this is a QUARTERBACK. Opinions as to his "franchise" potential still differ among my expert sources, but they all agreee that he can start right away, and will be damn good. If that's the bottom line, the first next season is worth it. (Plus, we won't have to PAY that guy!)
Also, I hear more from my ultimate QB guru, Phil Simms: He'd be perfect as-is in a West Coast system. He reads and releases quickly, with deadly short and intermediate accuracy. But he gets inconsistant throwing on the run. I believe that's where the bad deep throws come from, but am not certain. I just have a hunch that if he's planted in the pocket and stepping into it, he's accurate deep, too. But if you saw different, correct me.
The system intended here was a deep-strike, vertical passing game. I remember when Palmer drafted Couch. He did a great job of turning him into a pocket passer, and in his first season, he looked real promising. But it was his arm that destroyed him. That's what destroyed Bernie, too (in the real world).
But I digress. Palmer also refused to alter the scheme even slightly to take advantage of Couch's ablities on roll-outs or in shot-guns, or throwing horizontal, high-percentage passes. I truly hope that this regime is smarter, and makes some accommodations for Quinn's strong suit.
Don't write off Frye and Anderson immediately. I think they'll be given fair chances, and if they can do the job, let Quinn sit and learn. That's the smarter way with any quarterback, anyway, and if you don't believe me, ask any of them. Besides, for all Thomas's talent, he IS a rookie, and it looks like we'll have a whole new offensive line yet again. Whoever's back there will feel some heat for a few games.
Let the other guys have their shots. Hopefully, they'll show some growth and make some nice plays. Then come next season you can trade one of them. (See? Always think down the road apiece.)
Quinn would then come in after mathematical elimination, like I said the other guy should--get some reps to take home for next season.
Now, they got Jason Wright, the cornerback out of UNLV that got in trouble when he was 19. I LOVE that! This guy is a shut-down cornerback; very very fast. He mainly played man, but did some zone, and has the brains to do it. He's a willing tackler, which is important. He can immediately compete to start, but might need to start as the nickel back.
With him and Bodden, this gives the defense two man guys. Grantham must already be plotting and scheming how to use them. Do you know what a line and linebackers can do to a quarterback deprived of his primary and secondary targets? And you can show man and go to zone or vice-versa to mess them up. (Belichick loves that. Moneky-wrenched Manning for years!)
Speed is also good. Just plain speed. This guy has world-class speed, so if somebody gets loose or behind him or somebody else, he can save the TD. And zone corners can be a little slower, but speed makes them much better. They can make a mistake trying to jump a route, and recover fast enough to break it up or at least make the tackle. When they read run, they can close on it much faster.
This one guy totally solidified the secondary. If you count Holly, as you should, the Browns will have three solid-to-exceptional cornerbacks. And I'm telling you right now, DeMario Minter will be at that level as well. And Perry might be okay too--but with these safeties, this team can cover and even withstand a couple injuries.
Note I'm leaving out Baxter. Well, Baxter was hurt BAAAAD.
This was a great politcal move today, also. All the people caterwalling about drafting offensive linemen high would wait until Quinn had a good game for somebody else, then start bashing Savage for not drafting him. So Savage, when he got lucky and he slid that far, took care of that. Who knows what you clowns will come up to bash him with next? But he's bullet-proof on the QB and line haha.
By the way, Quinn had to hang up on the Ravens when the Browns took him. They were working their own trade to move up and snag him. Most likely, Savage knew or anticipated it--he moved at just the right time.
A Browns fan, a Priest, and a Rabbi walk into a bar, and the Priest and Rabbi are buying all his drinks for him. The Browns fan had won a bet by proving that God was vengeful. All the Priest and Rabbi had were books. The Browns fan had X-rays.
LATER!
Now then: Just as I predicted, they took Joe Thomas, Quinn, and Wright. Unfortunately, I can't prove this, since some nefarious imitator seems to have hacked the site and rewritten everything.
Yes, well anyway, when they took Thomas, I was niether overjoyed nor disappointed. I mean, he IS pretty much a can't miss. Please, no comparisons to left tackle busts. Like Ferguson last season, Thomas is a basketball player and track star. He's not a big fat guy. For several years, being able to run over people somehow crept into the priority list for the left tackle, so if you haven't got an extra 30 or so lbs. of lard, you need not apply.
Fifth? Somebody took Levi Brown. Real road grader! 5.4 40. Kamerion Wimbley looks foreward to playing them.
I immediately thought "zone-blocking". Thomas has the tools to do that, although he needs some work in space. If they move Shaffer to the other side, zone-blocking is a lock, because he's too small to be a normal right tackle.
However, there's a lot of salary here, and rather than being moved, it's possible that Shaffer will be REmoved. I mean, with what they're paying Stenbach, and now Thomas...boy that's a LOT if you toss in what Shaffer is being overpaid!
A zone line can get away with one big, slow goon, as in Tucker, his back-up, and the 340 lb. untility backup guy.
By the way, some knucklehead on another team told Thomas they might make him a right tackle. Do you believe that? And no, no southpaw QB.
Thomas is KNOWN as THE best pass-blocker in this draft. He's also a good in-line run-blocker--but the most important thing is that he, right next to Stenbach, can form a nearly impenetrable barrier behind the QB's back.
This does not mean that pressure can't come from the inside or the right, of course, but there the QB can see it. After thinking about it, I decided that this was a good pick. That's the whole left side of the line all set for several years, and instant help. Shaffer's deal is now two years old. Maybe they can get something for him--unless he'll be reasonable and renegotiate. He would be pretty good at running upfield to smash safeties, and although he could be bull-rushed, he's quick enough to keep the bigger guys on the strong side from getting around him.
Well, we'll see. Money matters, ya know. I was thinking about being "Jack Benny" here.
Then, as soon as the guys on NFL radio said "trade" and "Cleveland", I knew it was for Quinn. I said I didn't want to take him third overall, but at number...what--22? THAT's a deal! Now we get to underpay him with an extremely long contract!
Forget the second round pick. The first next year? Ok well that hurts. But this is a QUARTERBACK. Opinions as to his "franchise" potential still differ among my expert sources, but they all agreee that he can start right away, and will be damn good. If that's the bottom line, the first next season is worth it. (Plus, we won't have to PAY that guy!)
Also, I hear more from my ultimate QB guru, Phil Simms: He'd be perfect as-is in a West Coast system. He reads and releases quickly, with deadly short and intermediate accuracy. But he gets inconsistant throwing on the run. I believe that's where the bad deep throws come from, but am not certain. I just have a hunch that if he's planted in the pocket and stepping into it, he's accurate deep, too. But if you saw different, correct me.
The system intended here was a deep-strike, vertical passing game. I remember when Palmer drafted Couch. He did a great job of turning him into a pocket passer, and in his first season, he looked real promising. But it was his arm that destroyed him. That's what destroyed Bernie, too (in the real world).
But I digress. Palmer also refused to alter the scheme even slightly to take advantage of Couch's ablities on roll-outs or in shot-guns, or throwing horizontal, high-percentage passes. I truly hope that this regime is smarter, and makes some accommodations for Quinn's strong suit.
Don't write off Frye and Anderson immediately. I think they'll be given fair chances, and if they can do the job, let Quinn sit and learn. That's the smarter way with any quarterback, anyway, and if you don't believe me, ask any of them. Besides, for all Thomas's talent, he IS a rookie, and it looks like we'll have a whole new offensive line yet again. Whoever's back there will feel some heat for a few games.
Let the other guys have their shots. Hopefully, they'll show some growth and make some nice plays. Then come next season you can trade one of them. (See? Always think down the road apiece.)
Quinn would then come in after mathematical elimination, like I said the other guy should--get some reps to take home for next season.
Now, they got Jason Wright, the cornerback out of UNLV that got in trouble when he was 19. I LOVE that! This guy is a shut-down cornerback; very very fast. He mainly played man, but did some zone, and has the brains to do it. He's a willing tackler, which is important. He can immediately compete to start, but might need to start as the nickel back.
With him and Bodden, this gives the defense two man guys. Grantham must already be plotting and scheming how to use them. Do you know what a line and linebackers can do to a quarterback deprived of his primary and secondary targets? And you can show man and go to zone or vice-versa to mess them up. (Belichick loves that. Moneky-wrenched Manning for years!)
Speed is also good. Just plain speed. This guy has world-class speed, so if somebody gets loose or behind him or somebody else, he can save the TD. And zone corners can be a little slower, but speed makes them much better. They can make a mistake trying to jump a route, and recover fast enough to break it up or at least make the tackle. When they read run, they can close on it much faster.
This one guy totally solidified the secondary. If you count Holly, as you should, the Browns will have three solid-to-exceptional cornerbacks. And I'm telling you right now, DeMario Minter will be at that level as well. And Perry might be okay too--but with these safeties, this team can cover and even withstand a couple injuries.
Note I'm leaving out Baxter. Well, Baxter was hurt BAAAAD.
This was a great politcal move today, also. All the people caterwalling about drafting offensive linemen high would wait until Quinn had a good game for somebody else, then start bashing Savage for not drafting him. So Savage, when he got lucky and he slid that far, took care of that. Who knows what you clowns will come up to bash him with next? But he's bullet-proof on the QB and line haha.
By the way, Quinn had to hang up on the Ravens when the Browns took him. They were working their own trade to move up and snag him. Most likely, Savage knew or anticipated it--he moved at just the right time.
A Browns fan, a Priest, and a Rabbi walk into a bar, and the Priest and Rabbi are buying all his drinks for him. The Browns fan had won a bet by proving that God was vengeful. All the Priest and Rabbi had were books. The Browns fan had X-rays.
LATER!
Friday, April 27, 2007
Dear Phil: Here's what you should do:
Ok first, Russell and Johnson are GMF's. See how bad Miami wants Quinn. They have an extra second rounder, and you might be able to hose them out of that and a third, or deferred second rounder.
Arizona might want Russell and is afraid Tampa will get him. See about extorting their second and maybe fourth to flip. Maybe you can do that first and then find Quinn still there to hold for ransom for Miami.
Boy that'd be cool. Flip with AZ and get their second rounder, then go to nine and screw Miami out of their second rounder and a third next year!
Ok so then offer the ninth overall to San Diego for Turner.
Too many people want us to take Peterson, but the injury stuff is for real, and you and I know it. Turner rates just a tad behind him, and ahead of Lynch, and everybody (who knows their stuff) is CERTAIN that Turner can be a bellcow 25 carry per game back. Who blocks and catches and can make big plays.
Ok-ok, now as soon as Quinn is gone pull the trigger on the Chaun Thompson for either Josh McKown ot Chris Simms deal. Miami will be pissed, but tough perogies. They're both young, improving deep passers, ready to start in the new vertical offense.
Ok so now you've got a QB, a stud running back, and a bunch of second rounders. Now you can try to get Staley. Allemon is probably a third. Tank Tyler, maybe Branch...whatever-I'll leave that to you.
Ok now that you know what to do, get a good night's sleep and go get 'em tomorrow.
Your humble expert advisor, Wile E. Coyote
Arizona might want Russell and is afraid Tampa will get him. See about extorting their second and maybe fourth to flip. Maybe you can do that first and then find Quinn still there to hold for ransom for Miami.
Boy that'd be cool. Flip with AZ and get their second rounder, then go to nine and screw Miami out of their second rounder and a third next year!
Ok so then offer the ninth overall to San Diego for Turner.
Too many people want us to take Peterson, but the injury stuff is for real, and you and I know it. Turner rates just a tad behind him, and ahead of Lynch, and everybody (who knows their stuff) is CERTAIN that Turner can be a bellcow 25 carry per game back. Who blocks and catches and can make big plays.
Ok-ok, now as soon as Quinn is gone pull the trigger on the Chaun Thompson for either Josh McKown ot Chris Simms deal. Miami will be pissed, but tough perogies. They're both young, improving deep passers, ready to start in the new vertical offense.
Ok so now you've got a QB, a stud running back, and a bunch of second rounders. Now you can try to get Staley. Allemon is probably a third. Tank Tyler, maybe Branch...whatever-I'll leave that to you.
Ok now that you know what to do, get a good night's sleep and go get 'em tomorrow.
Your humble expert advisor, Wile E. Coyote
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Draft Corrections
First, I changed my mind again. I finally heard from Phil Simms, who trumps all other quarterback "experts". Quinn's only problem was deep accuracy, and this is correctable. And there were indeed some issues with his team. While I still feel that Russell is a "Fanchise" and Quinn might not be, I now regret having picked on him.
Now, the trade-down talk is back on the table. Minnesota could attempt a move to number three to pressure Detroit, for instance, who may well be eyeballing Gaines Adams. They might want to trade down to number four or lower, and then snag him. Minnesota could intercept him at the three spot.
This is one of several possible scenarios.
Now for the corrections, some of which are brought on by, of all people, the usually knowlagable and sharp Adam Caplan:
"All the value is in the top five." "Savage would never move out of the top ten".
CORRECTION: Players who could possibly remain available at number eleven include Alan Branch, Amobi Okoye, Levi Brown, Peterson, Adam Carriker, the top two cornerbacks. All of these are Pro-Bowl type players who would have an immediate and significant impact on the Browns.
For a rational mind, a rebuilding team can and should target quantity over quality. Any "Mason-Dixon" talent-line talent-wise is arbitrary and superfluous. No one or two players will change the fortunes for this team. The Browns could draft an insta-starter excellent player even at fifteen, perhaps at twenty, and impact players can b mined out of this draft clear through the fourth round.
A move even from third to seventh could yield second and third (or a deferred second round) picks. And Phil would keep ther door open to trade down further from there.
So you think we need a left tackle and guard? You want Phil to use his top picks on them? Then get a DE, a cornerback, etc.? Well, this is how that could be done. This is how you trun a weak team into a contender overnight--not with one running back and one lineman.
Personally, given an extra second rounder and assuming the other compensation is deferred and no further trades could be worked, I'd take Okoye to cement the D-line first, Staley (if available), Branch (doubt it), or maybe Irons (underrated running back--like Curtis Martin)--
Other guys I would consider: Ryan Kahlil the super-center. It would work for a zone-blocking line. Move people around. Marshawn Lynch: Might be better than Peterson (laugh at me now but believe me later). Micheal Bush OH yeah!
Caplan said they really like Hunt, perhaps in the second. Hunt is a blue-collar big back who is unspectacular but very consistant and reliable for short yardage. Blocks and catches well. A hammer to steadily, gradually, beat a defense to mush with. Can't fault that. But Bush is soft and out of shape. With NFL strength training, he could be awesome. He resembles Jerome Bettis coming out of college, but is a better reciever.
What separated Bettis from other monster backs is the same thing that makes Bush different: Speed and elusiveness. Bettis would avoid contact when possible. People bounced off him more because he deprived them of square angles than that he ran them over. And that's partly why he lasted as long as he did.
Bush's injury partly accounted for his being mushy when examined, but it is true that he didn't care for weight training. If they're confident that he'll do the gym rat stuff (and he IS really smart, and understands the why of it), he'd be a great pick (in the THIRD OR LOWER).
His leg was a fracture. A bone. Not a ligament or a joint. It will heal NEXT!
Somebody tell Any Allemon to get real. Unless Denver or Indi grabs him earlier, he'll still be there for the Browns in the fourth. It won't matter to most other teams that he was the top athlete among the guards except for the mere paltry 30 reps on the bench press he did. He's still not OVERWEIGHT enough, and they don't like that.
Okbye
Now, the trade-down talk is back on the table. Minnesota could attempt a move to number three to pressure Detroit, for instance, who may well be eyeballing Gaines Adams. They might want to trade down to number four or lower, and then snag him. Minnesota could intercept him at the three spot.
This is one of several possible scenarios.
Now for the corrections, some of which are brought on by, of all people, the usually knowlagable and sharp Adam Caplan:
"All the value is in the top five." "Savage would never move out of the top ten".
CORRECTION: Players who could possibly remain available at number eleven include Alan Branch, Amobi Okoye, Levi Brown, Peterson, Adam Carriker, the top two cornerbacks. All of these are Pro-Bowl type players who would have an immediate and significant impact on the Browns.
For a rational mind, a rebuilding team can and should target quantity over quality. Any "Mason-Dixon" talent-line talent-wise is arbitrary and superfluous. No one or two players will change the fortunes for this team. The Browns could draft an insta-starter excellent player even at fifteen, perhaps at twenty, and impact players can b mined out of this draft clear through the fourth round.
A move even from third to seventh could yield second and third (or a deferred second round) picks. And Phil would keep ther door open to trade down further from there.
So you think we need a left tackle and guard? You want Phil to use his top picks on them? Then get a DE, a cornerback, etc.? Well, this is how that could be done. This is how you trun a weak team into a contender overnight--not with one running back and one lineman.
Personally, given an extra second rounder and assuming the other compensation is deferred and no further trades could be worked, I'd take Okoye to cement the D-line first, Staley (if available), Branch (doubt it), or maybe Irons (underrated running back--like Curtis Martin)--
Other guys I would consider: Ryan Kahlil the super-center. It would work for a zone-blocking line. Move people around. Marshawn Lynch: Might be better than Peterson (laugh at me now but believe me later). Micheal Bush OH yeah!
Caplan said they really like Hunt, perhaps in the second. Hunt is a blue-collar big back who is unspectacular but very consistant and reliable for short yardage. Blocks and catches well. A hammer to steadily, gradually, beat a defense to mush with. Can't fault that. But Bush is soft and out of shape. With NFL strength training, he could be awesome. He resembles Jerome Bettis coming out of college, but is a better reciever.
What separated Bettis from other monster backs is the same thing that makes Bush different: Speed and elusiveness. Bettis would avoid contact when possible. People bounced off him more because he deprived them of square angles than that he ran them over. And that's partly why he lasted as long as he did.
Bush's injury partly accounted for his being mushy when examined, but it is true that he didn't care for weight training. If they're confident that he'll do the gym rat stuff (and he IS really smart, and understands the why of it), he'd be a great pick (in the THIRD OR LOWER).
His leg was a fracture. A bone. Not a ligament or a joint. It will heal NEXT!
Somebody tell Any Allemon to get real. Unless Denver or Indi grabs him earlier, he'll still be there for the Browns in the fourth. It won't matter to most other teams that he was the top athlete among the guards except for the mere paltry 30 reps on the bench press he did. He's still not OVERWEIGHT enough, and they don't like that.
Okbye
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Insane Trade Scenario
This from Pat Kirwin (former defensive back/position coach/scout/personel director/general manager NY Jets-Sirius NFL Radio):
In a pre-arranged trade, the Raiders could possibly draft Jamarcus Russell, then let Cleveland draft Quinn, then trade the two and extort the Browns 2008 first round pick.
You may have reacted as I did when I first heard it. But in a few seconds, I calmed down and achieved emotional detatchment in order to check it out:
Essentially it would be extortion: A first round pick? To a team which is still rebuilding, and NEEDS those guys? On the other hand, if Russell IS "all that", and Quinn aint, you'd have to consider it. Regardless of what Rich Passen and some other knuckleheads say, the most important single player on any team is the quarterback.
Well, what about Quinn vs. Russell? Well, Personnel Pros around the league, as crunch time approaches, have been going over ALL of Quinn's game-tapes with a fine-tooth comb. His critics are not know-nothing columnists--they are professionals.
As you may or may not know, I haven't even seen either of these guys play myself. What I do is read and listen to people who have seen and studied them, and who actually know what they were looking at. I get an even deeper insight when they disagree with eachother; deriving much from the point/counterpoint. After processing, I'm usually correct. That's what a true analyst does.
Now: Quinn's losses and bad throws were not his teammates' faults. He is a lethal short and intermediate passer, but sometimes misses those throws. He's more inconsistant deep. I'm sure that with practice, he will improve. But it doesn't answer for his losses in big games. Intelligent, decisive, a leader, yes. He'll probably be a very good NFL quarterback.
But with the third pick overall (or with that plus another first round pick, for that matter) you don't just grab the second-best available quarterback unless he's Philip Rivers...and not really second best, either.
Russell: "All they're going on is that one game".
CORRECTION: Russell was made the starting quarterback at his highschool before he attended it. While he was in eighth grade. He was...uh...like 24-4 as a starter at LSU against top level competition. He has a whole bunch of come-from behind wins. He won all the big games. He saved his best til he faced Quinn.
He not only has a historicly strong arm, but perfect touch, and deadly accuracy at any range. He hits tight windows, lobs it over linebackers, and gets it to his recievers in stride. He made all his line calls, and was always allowed to check off--and demonstrated good judgement in doing so. (Disagree? Go argue with his head coach or shut up.)
"But we need to win NOW! Russell can't do that! He needs to sit on the bench for a couple years."
CORRECTIONS: Ground control to Virginia: We CAN'T win now. Tough division, youth, toughest schedule concievable, remember? Man, grow up willya? "Are we there yet?" Don't make me come back there!
Two years my butt. Try ONE. He's not as polished as Quinn, but he's not some kid from Akron running a shotgun, either. Smith came out and kicked ass as a rookie after his team was mathematicly eliminated, and Russell is better-prepared than he was.
One expert--this guy named Marino (not Dan)--said that he didn't see any Mannings or Elways in this draft. But I heard other stuff: that Russell was the best QB prospect to come along in like 3 years. It's hard to find one damn thing wrong with him. Nary an interception. Comes from behind. Strength, accuracy, touch, leadership, brains---if he aint the real thing, what is?
Oh yeah. Up to 300 lbs. at one time. BIG DEAL!
But a first round pick? Is it worth it?
In my opinion, yes. If he's "all that", yes. How long has it been since the Browns had a real stud QB? Not since Bernie. Before him, SIPE--believe it or not. And Bernie would lose a race with a glacier, and Sipe needed a ladder to see downfield and had a pop-gun arm. Imagine what it would be like to have that critical position all settled. And when you need to come from behind...when the chips are down and it's for all the marbles....yeah, you see?
And that's the hugest factor here: Not the arm, or the size, or the other stuff. It's his heart.
Yeah, I'd do it. Pick up Irons or Pittman in the second, or Bush in the third or fourth. Allemon in the fourth, or another guard. Wright in the third or fourth. The players are still there in this draft.
Take the guy and let Frye and Anderson feel the heat. Could be that one of them is pretty good by late in the season. Good enough to trade, and get us back at least a third round pick...
Okay okay I'm getting optimistic. Anyway in the real world, the Browns will be much-improved in every area, but winning even seven or eight games would be a major achievement. Russell could, as I mentioned, play some games that don't matter anymore late, and take that experience to the offseason with him.
It would save Crennell (and the TEAM) from the lynch-mob, and in 2008, all the young punks are all growed up, and we're ready for the majors...see?
OR...man, with THIS guy, we could sure trade down---oh well I'm all thunk out.
Okbye.
In a pre-arranged trade, the Raiders could possibly draft Jamarcus Russell, then let Cleveland draft Quinn, then trade the two and extort the Browns 2008 first round pick.
You may have reacted as I did when I first heard it. But in a few seconds, I calmed down and achieved emotional detatchment in order to check it out:
Essentially it would be extortion: A first round pick? To a team which is still rebuilding, and NEEDS those guys? On the other hand, if Russell IS "all that", and Quinn aint, you'd have to consider it. Regardless of what Rich Passen and some other knuckleheads say, the most important single player on any team is the quarterback.
Well, what about Quinn vs. Russell? Well, Personnel Pros around the league, as crunch time approaches, have been going over ALL of Quinn's game-tapes with a fine-tooth comb. His critics are not know-nothing columnists--they are professionals.
As you may or may not know, I haven't even seen either of these guys play myself. What I do is read and listen to people who have seen and studied them, and who actually know what they were looking at. I get an even deeper insight when they disagree with eachother; deriving much from the point/counterpoint. After processing, I'm usually correct. That's what a true analyst does.
Now: Quinn's losses and bad throws were not his teammates' faults. He is a lethal short and intermediate passer, but sometimes misses those throws. He's more inconsistant deep. I'm sure that with practice, he will improve. But it doesn't answer for his losses in big games. Intelligent, decisive, a leader, yes. He'll probably be a very good NFL quarterback.
But with the third pick overall (or with that plus another first round pick, for that matter) you don't just grab the second-best available quarterback unless he's Philip Rivers...and not really second best, either.
Russell: "All they're going on is that one game".
CORRECTION: Russell was made the starting quarterback at his highschool before he attended it. While he was in eighth grade. He was...uh...like 24-4 as a starter at LSU against top level competition. He has a whole bunch of come-from behind wins. He won all the big games. He saved his best til he faced Quinn.
He not only has a historicly strong arm, but perfect touch, and deadly accuracy at any range. He hits tight windows, lobs it over linebackers, and gets it to his recievers in stride. He made all his line calls, and was always allowed to check off--and demonstrated good judgement in doing so. (Disagree? Go argue with his head coach or shut up.)
"But we need to win NOW! Russell can't do that! He needs to sit on the bench for a couple years."
CORRECTIONS: Ground control to Virginia: We CAN'T win now. Tough division, youth, toughest schedule concievable, remember? Man, grow up willya? "Are we there yet?" Don't make me come back there!
Two years my butt. Try ONE. He's not as polished as Quinn, but he's not some kid from Akron running a shotgun, either. Smith came out and kicked ass as a rookie after his team was mathematicly eliminated, and Russell is better-prepared than he was.
One expert--this guy named Marino (not Dan)--said that he didn't see any Mannings or Elways in this draft. But I heard other stuff: that Russell was the best QB prospect to come along in like 3 years. It's hard to find one damn thing wrong with him. Nary an interception. Comes from behind. Strength, accuracy, touch, leadership, brains---if he aint the real thing, what is?
Oh yeah. Up to 300 lbs. at one time. BIG DEAL!
But a first round pick? Is it worth it?
In my opinion, yes. If he's "all that", yes. How long has it been since the Browns had a real stud QB? Not since Bernie. Before him, SIPE--believe it or not. And Bernie would lose a race with a glacier, and Sipe needed a ladder to see downfield and had a pop-gun arm. Imagine what it would be like to have that critical position all settled. And when you need to come from behind...when the chips are down and it's for all the marbles....yeah, you see?
And that's the hugest factor here: Not the arm, or the size, or the other stuff. It's his heart.
Yeah, I'd do it. Pick up Irons or Pittman in the second, or Bush in the third or fourth. Allemon in the fourth, or another guard. Wright in the third or fourth. The players are still there in this draft.
Take the guy and let Frye and Anderson feel the heat. Could be that one of them is pretty good by late in the season. Good enough to trade, and get us back at least a third round pick...
Okay okay I'm getting optimistic. Anyway in the real world, the Browns will be much-improved in every area, but winning even seven or eight games would be a major achievement. Russell could, as I mentioned, play some games that don't matter anymore late, and take that experience to the offseason with him.
It would save Crennell (and the TEAM) from the lynch-mob, and in 2008, all the young punks are all growed up, and we're ready for the majors...see?
OR...man, with THIS guy, we could sure trade down---oh well I'm all thunk out.
Okbye.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
How to Make an Intelligent Estimate
A Clevelander called into NFL Radio to report that he had heard a rumor that the Browns might trade Bray-on Edwards to the Patriots for their first round pick, and then draft Calvin Johnson, the super-reciever, with the third overall pick.
First, I immediately detect and correct the garble-age: IF Johnson falls to the Browns they would THEN trade Bray-on to the Pats for their first pick. Next, I need to vet it using logic, tendancies, etc.:
At the time the caller said this, Solomon Willcotts wanted to know why they would do this. "You get a reciever who's a little better. What do you really gain?"
Dear Solomon: You gain another first round pick. NEXT!
Would this look good to the Pats? Well, they've made a big move in free agency this season, and are going for all the marbles. Dudes really mean business. They got Daunte Stallworth as a deep threat, but the guy is constantly pulling muscles and straining stuff. That's why they structured his contract so as to protect themselves if he continues to miss time.
They've allowed Branch and Givens to go. A mistake, perhaps--but that doesn't matter now. Bill knows all about Bray-on's big mouth and mental condition, and drops. But if you know him, you know he feels confident that he could take care of all this (with the help of the team, who would punish him.)
Edwards is a veteran big-play guy who can also cross the field. A former third overall pick, under contract for the long term--and that contract is three years old, so the Pats would pay more, but not that much more. Edwards could come in and be an immediate lethal weapon, plus would remain with the team and in his prime for years. He could be THE difference between a playoff washout or the Superbowl.
Would he get anything like that at #25?
We have a winner! This rumor makes sense from the Pats perspective.
What about the Browns? Well, for them it's an upgrade. Johnson has dropped passes--but not like Edwards. He is bigger, taller, faster, and SMARTER. And more MATURE. He's not "slightly" better. He's, like 20% better. Who cares who's the quarterback--he can throw it up in the air as deep as he can. (With Edwards, he might tip it. To a safety.)
For the Browns, it's an upgrade at WR, plus an EXTRA starter before the second round even begins. Bingo! Another winner. IF Johnson gets to third, this could happen!
But will he?
Here's some more analysis for you: Al Davis allegedly wants JaMarcus Russell. But look: the dude is on life support and wants one more ring before he croaks. He won Superbowls and championships with Jim Plunkett, Rich Gannon...NEVER with a Pro Bowl type quarterback. And his head Coach wants Johnson.
Check it out: They still want the YOUNG, talented rifle-armed Josh McKown from Detroit. This could well happen for a fourth round pick on saturday. If he gets McKown, do you think he'll still draft Russell? WHY? He'll be dead before the guy gets up to speed!
He may also want Culpepper. Do you know what Culpepper did in his MVP year? He threw it up in the air to Moss. When Moss left, so did he. But he's got a gun, and that's all Al cares about. Let Miami cut him and Al will scoop him up. Or get McKown. Or both. Then take Johnson, and let the QB throw it up in the air.
Or he could possibly trade down and stockpile. The Raiders defense is excellent and doesn't need help, but they do need help offensively. Would a new QB, Johnson, and the second and third rounder be enough?
That's the problem. If the Raiders don't take Johnson, somebody else will. Detroit could take him, to trade down. So, unfortunately, the premise of the aforementioned rumor is very unlikely to happen. Sorry!
Ok but now we do know this: Calvin Johnson is a GMF for the Browns. Indications right now are that Detroit wants to trade out of it's slot, and has a decent chance of doing so with JaMarcus Russell still there and in demand. It's not as strong a possibility as with Johnson, but it is probable that Russell will also be gone for the Browns, who will not trade up.
This leaves Quinn, Peterson, Joe Thomas, and Gaines Adams as the safest picks for the Browns.
I do not believe the Browns would draft Quinn there. One guy wondered why they would, since they have to win NOW of Romeo is gone: They could because Quinn could immediately compete for a start, and once they were mathematicly eliminated, start the last few games to buy Crennel a reprieve. That's called PR, Sherlock. And look at their schedule and division--then get real, Virginia. Not yet. And quit assuming Lerner is as dumb as you.
Anyway, Quinn is too risky. He did fail in big games, and additional research indicates that his team was not to blame. He's also more a west coast type than a deep thrower.
Here's another correction: "The Browns desperately need a running back."
CORRECTION: Jerome Harrison is Lee Suggs, except healthy. Lewis played all of last season with bone spurs, is 28, and a scheme change eliminated his lead-blocker (who the Browns just signed to duke it out with Vickers, by the way). Most teams today run backfields by committee--not one-backs. ONE stud back is not manditory, especially when you need help elsewhere.
I think there is at least a 33% chance that Savage will try to get Simms from Tampa Bay. Simms had emerged as a GOOD QB when he got injured, and is now healthy. He's being aced out by Garcia because Gruden runs a West Coast system, and Simms is a strong-armed guy better suited to the offense the Browns new coordinator wants to run.
Tampa would like to keep him under a clip-board, but not at a starter's salary. Tampa would never trade up in this situation. Gruden may well want Peterson, but could also use several other players who would fall to him.
Phil might be able offer the third overall pick, plus Chaun Thompson, for Simms. (Hey--Chaun Thimpson has turned into a damn good linebacker, who can cover in the Tampa 2. Tampa could use him!)
Yeah, now I'm speculating. But Simms is a young and experienced QB well-suited for the system intended here, and who can trust Frye anymore? (It's ok to root for him, of course.)
After that, who knows? While another trade-down isn't likely, it could happen. Often a team lower down wants a specific player for a specific need, and anticipates a rival in front of them taking that guy. If Savage went even all the way down to ten, (and collected extra picks out the yin-yang), at least one, and more likely two or three of these players would still be there:
CB Leon Hall, TE Greg Olson (Winslow's carreer is questionable and Heiden is aging, so shut up about it), OT Levi Brown, DE's (for us) Adam Carriker and Amobi Okoye, NT/DE Alan Branch...and more guys. A Gaines Adams, or Peterson, or Quinn, even, could drop that far!
Ok so take Quinn or Peterson and that's it, or fix the whole damn team overnight? Hmmm...what to do, what to do...
Anyway, Savage and co. have done a great job. I have no idea who they would take if they stayed there.
But I still think the biggest sleeper here is DEREK ANDERSON. I think they already know it, but can't say it publicly. The new coordinator immediately called it an open competition when he got here.
Look at Stanford's Trent Edwards stats. EEEWWW! But he's regarded as the third best QB by many (real) experts. He played in a team of which one scout said: "Not one player on that team could make USC's roster." He was pounded into mush by enemy defenses, and threw a lot of picks going for broke. (And get this: You would force it, too, if that was your only hope.)
That's Anderson. The third-best quarterback prospect in the country coming out of highschool. Last season he piled up five of his picks all in one game. Up 'til then, he was doing a nice job in this, his first real shot. It's typical for defenses fo catch up with rookie quarterbacks like that. They learn and come back from it, and it happens again--just less and less often, as they become familiar with all the dirty tricks. He showed more than enough for a second look...and the new coaches have enough game film for a first look.
Frye might yet pull it out, but...well, stay tuned.
First, I immediately detect and correct the garble-age: IF Johnson falls to the Browns they would THEN trade Bray-on to the Pats for their first pick. Next, I need to vet it using logic, tendancies, etc.:
At the time the caller said this, Solomon Willcotts wanted to know why they would do this. "You get a reciever who's a little better. What do you really gain?"
Dear Solomon: You gain another first round pick. NEXT!
Would this look good to the Pats? Well, they've made a big move in free agency this season, and are going for all the marbles. Dudes really mean business. They got Daunte Stallworth as a deep threat, but the guy is constantly pulling muscles and straining stuff. That's why they structured his contract so as to protect themselves if he continues to miss time.
They've allowed Branch and Givens to go. A mistake, perhaps--but that doesn't matter now. Bill knows all about Bray-on's big mouth and mental condition, and drops. But if you know him, you know he feels confident that he could take care of all this (with the help of the team, who would punish him.)
Edwards is a veteran big-play guy who can also cross the field. A former third overall pick, under contract for the long term--and that contract is three years old, so the Pats would pay more, but not that much more. Edwards could come in and be an immediate lethal weapon, plus would remain with the team and in his prime for years. He could be THE difference between a playoff washout or the Superbowl.
Would he get anything like that at #25?
We have a winner! This rumor makes sense from the Pats perspective.
What about the Browns? Well, for them it's an upgrade. Johnson has dropped passes--but not like Edwards. He is bigger, taller, faster, and SMARTER. And more MATURE. He's not "slightly" better. He's, like 20% better. Who cares who's the quarterback--he can throw it up in the air as deep as he can. (With Edwards, he might tip it. To a safety.)
For the Browns, it's an upgrade at WR, plus an EXTRA starter before the second round even begins. Bingo! Another winner. IF Johnson gets to third, this could happen!
But will he?
Here's some more analysis for you: Al Davis allegedly wants JaMarcus Russell. But look: the dude is on life support and wants one more ring before he croaks. He won Superbowls and championships with Jim Plunkett, Rich Gannon...NEVER with a Pro Bowl type quarterback. And his head Coach wants Johnson.
Check it out: They still want the YOUNG, talented rifle-armed Josh McKown from Detroit. This could well happen for a fourth round pick on saturday. If he gets McKown, do you think he'll still draft Russell? WHY? He'll be dead before the guy gets up to speed!
He may also want Culpepper. Do you know what Culpepper did in his MVP year? He threw it up in the air to Moss. When Moss left, so did he. But he's got a gun, and that's all Al cares about. Let Miami cut him and Al will scoop him up. Or get McKown. Or both. Then take Johnson, and let the QB throw it up in the air.
Or he could possibly trade down and stockpile. The Raiders defense is excellent and doesn't need help, but they do need help offensively. Would a new QB, Johnson, and the second and third rounder be enough?
That's the problem. If the Raiders don't take Johnson, somebody else will. Detroit could take him, to trade down. So, unfortunately, the premise of the aforementioned rumor is very unlikely to happen. Sorry!
Ok but now we do know this: Calvin Johnson is a GMF for the Browns. Indications right now are that Detroit wants to trade out of it's slot, and has a decent chance of doing so with JaMarcus Russell still there and in demand. It's not as strong a possibility as with Johnson, but it is probable that Russell will also be gone for the Browns, who will not trade up.
This leaves Quinn, Peterson, Joe Thomas, and Gaines Adams as the safest picks for the Browns.
I do not believe the Browns would draft Quinn there. One guy wondered why they would, since they have to win NOW of Romeo is gone: They could because Quinn could immediately compete for a start, and once they were mathematicly eliminated, start the last few games to buy Crennel a reprieve. That's called PR, Sherlock. And look at their schedule and division--then get real, Virginia. Not yet. And quit assuming Lerner is as dumb as you.
Anyway, Quinn is too risky. He did fail in big games, and additional research indicates that his team was not to blame. He's also more a west coast type than a deep thrower.
Here's another correction: "The Browns desperately need a running back."
CORRECTION: Jerome Harrison is Lee Suggs, except healthy. Lewis played all of last season with bone spurs, is 28, and a scheme change eliminated his lead-blocker (who the Browns just signed to duke it out with Vickers, by the way). Most teams today run backfields by committee--not one-backs. ONE stud back is not manditory, especially when you need help elsewhere.
I think there is at least a 33% chance that Savage will try to get Simms from Tampa Bay. Simms had emerged as a GOOD QB when he got injured, and is now healthy. He's being aced out by Garcia because Gruden runs a West Coast system, and Simms is a strong-armed guy better suited to the offense the Browns new coordinator wants to run.
Tampa would like to keep him under a clip-board, but not at a starter's salary. Tampa would never trade up in this situation. Gruden may well want Peterson, but could also use several other players who would fall to him.
Phil might be able offer the third overall pick, plus Chaun Thompson, for Simms. (Hey--Chaun Thimpson has turned into a damn good linebacker, who can cover in the Tampa 2. Tampa could use him!)
Yeah, now I'm speculating. But Simms is a young and experienced QB well-suited for the system intended here, and who can trust Frye anymore? (It's ok to root for him, of course.)
After that, who knows? While another trade-down isn't likely, it could happen. Often a team lower down wants a specific player for a specific need, and anticipates a rival in front of them taking that guy. If Savage went even all the way down to ten, (and collected extra picks out the yin-yang), at least one, and more likely two or three of these players would still be there:
CB Leon Hall, TE Greg Olson (Winslow's carreer is questionable and Heiden is aging, so shut up about it), OT Levi Brown, DE's (for us) Adam Carriker and Amobi Okoye, NT/DE Alan Branch...and more guys. A Gaines Adams, or Peterson, or Quinn, even, could drop that far!
Ok so take Quinn or Peterson and that's it, or fix the whole damn team overnight? Hmmm...what to do, what to do...
Anyway, Savage and co. have done a great job. I have no idea who they would take if they stayed there.
But I still think the biggest sleeper here is DEREK ANDERSON. I think they already know it, but can't say it publicly. The new coordinator immediately called it an open competition when he got here.
Look at Stanford's Trent Edwards stats. EEEWWW! But he's regarded as the third best QB by many (real) experts. He played in a team of which one scout said: "Not one player on that team could make USC's roster." He was pounded into mush by enemy defenses, and threw a lot of picks going for broke. (And get this: You would force it, too, if that was your only hope.)
That's Anderson. The third-best quarterback prospect in the country coming out of highschool. Last season he piled up five of his picks all in one game. Up 'til then, he was doing a nice job in this, his first real shot. It's typical for defenses fo catch up with rookie quarterbacks like that. They learn and come back from it, and it happens again--just less and less often, as they become familiar with all the dirty tricks. He showed more than enough for a second look...and the new coaches have enough game film for a first look.
Frye might yet pull it out, but...well, stay tuned.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Secondary and Defensive Line Corrections
"We desperately need cornerbacks." "The secondary was swiss cheese all last season".
CORRECTION: Early in the season, despite the loss of McCutcheon for the season, the Browns defense ranked high against the pass (and the run, for that matter--and especially scoring). It was not until Baxter, and then even Liegh Bodden ALSO went down that this defense became vulnerable to the pass.
INJURIES on a nearly unprecendented scale--along with fatigue--are what accounted for the strafing which then occured. We were starting special teamers and projects at cornerback. They made mistakes and miscommunicated DUH!
And stop ignoring the nature of this defense. The primary coverage is zone. A zone blitze is called a zone blitze because a lineman will drop back to cover a short zone. That's so that a blitze doesn't require man coverage.
Two rookie and sometimes three inexperienced linebackers were periodicly burned short and intermediate, too DUH!
Incredibly, I hear Savage ripped for poor choices in lower rounds already partly because of Antonio Perkins, who-despite this blitzekrieg of injuries, never showed up in the secondary.
Perkins was selected mainly as a special teamer. He was perhaps THE top punt returner in his draft. Savage knew that his coverage skills sucked, and hoped that, with some coaching and experience, he would eventually contribute in this area as well. Also, as a returner, he was to eventually compete to replace Dennis Northcutt. Who was pretty good, ya know? DUH!
At the same time as you wonder what happened to Perkins, you are oblivious to the existance of Demario Minter. Demario Minter was injured as a rookie and unable to compete. Now, HE was drafted as a cornerback. He is a complete cornerback with both man and zone skills, and was projected to compete for the nickel back slot immediately. He showed the talent to eventually take over one of the starting slots.
Well, he still exists! He is healthy now, has learned some stuff about the scheme, etc., and will now compete for a starting slot first, and the nickel slot second.
Meanwhile, Davin Holly started out as toast, but while you were sleeping, rapidly improved, game by game, and finished the season with five interceptions.
"Davin Holly emerged as a nickel cornerback, but the Browns must get a starter".
CORRECTION: Davin Holly STARTED his last several games, and it was as a STARTER, on the outside, that he emerged.
Naturally, we can't assume that Holly is the second coming of Bodden yet, nor assume too much about the promising and talented Minter. Then, too, there is the injury factor (don't we know it!?), and the prevalence of three and four-wide sets. So yeah, we could use more cornerbacks, and an elite starter would be very handy.
But, as usual, the need is massively exhaggerated by Chicken Little and company.
Mike Adams, Justin Hamilton, and Brodney Pool are also factors to which you are oblivious. Adams is a safety/cornerback hybrid who can cover even fast wide recievers. He can be used in coverage in nickel packages.
Hamilton matches up well with the more dangerous tight ends, and projects as a de facto nickel linebacker. Pool has similar skills, and can also take away the bigger possession recievers. This very impressive safety grouping mitigates the need for cornerback depth because of their man skills.
I was just about to say something about that Wright guy, but can't find him on the depth chart. They must have said "nevermind". So so will I. Nevermind.
And listen: this is a 3-4 zone defense. A man cornerback is much different than a zone guy. This is substantially why Savage grabbed Baxter and let Henry go. A zone cornerback is as much a run-defender as a coverage guy. He keeps the bad guys in front of him, with one eye on the backfield at all times. He reads the QB, seeks to anticipate the throw, and breaks foreward on it for a pick, a break-up, or a hard tackle.
Baxter was as much safety as cornerback, and excelled in that scheme. His loss and and the renewed weakeness against the run were not entirely unrelated. Any running back going anywhere around him had him coming at them hard, ala Felix Wright. We tend to think of only linemen and linebackers as tacklers, but in a zone scheme, the cornerbacks are almost as important.
The sexy cornerbacks in every draft are the "shut-down" corners, who may or may not have the heart, desire, or brains to play well in a zone. These are the guys who will go on day one. And this is exactly why Savage was ABLE to nab Minter later on. Minter, as I mentioned, is a total package.
Naturally, a smart coordinator can't run exclusive zone coverage all day, regardless of situation or opponent, so man skills are always useful. Bodden has emerged as a shut-down corner--and since he can do it, Grantham is smart enough to take advantage of it. And of course, another one like him would really give the defense a lot more flexibility.
But there is not urgent need nere, and a cornerback named Wright out of UTEP (I think) might well be there for the Browns in the FOURTH round...or else that Irons guy...
I like Irons better, because he is nasty and likes to beat people up. He feels dissed, and has a chip on his shoulder. He's like Minter: OK in man, excellent in zone. (Wright is a speedster shut-down guy).
But this draft is one of the deepest ever in cornerbacks. When you are a zone team with other needs, you are a moron if you burn a high pick on a cornerback in this situation. (Unless, of course, he's a guy who got in trouble, or for whatever reason slid form a rightful first round spot all the way into the third--THEN ok...so you suddenly got one of the best secondaries in the league. I'll take that!)
But here, now: Holly might come back and prove he can be a consistant starter. He might pick up where he left off, and do another Bodden. Minter probably WILL win at least a nickel role, if not overtake Holly. And even Jereme Perry showed improvement, and did some nice stuff. Why must you always assume a young player won't come back better than he was?
At any rate, you stand corrected.
"We still need a nose tackle and a defensive end".
CORRECTION: The highly disruptive Simon Fraser last season was a liability against the run. He got pushed around. He got tackles for losses and sacks sometimes, but other times got ran over. Ok yeah, but QUIT SHOVELLING DIRT ON HIM, FOR CRYIN OUT LOUD! He aint even dead yet!
Here we go again with the memorex moron (MM) stuff! He was a rookie. He is SIX FOOT SIX and weighED 288. YOU will be surprised if he returns at 305 or 310, but I'll be shocked if he doesn't! He should also have better mechanics, to keep his pad level low.
I'm not predicting that Fraser will be a Pro-Bowl DE in his second season, nor even guaranteeing that he'll be able to start. But YOU declared a NEED for a DE, and already ordered the gravestone for this YOUNG, IMROVING, GROWING, former rookie! Assuming facts not in evidence INCORRECT -bang-bang- NEXT!
Cincinnati restricted Shaun Smith for a reason. That reason is that he could plug up the middle on running downs. He lacks the speed and burst to attack the quarterback, but he can take on a double team and keep guards and centers off linebackers.
Cinci runs a 4-3, so Smith was used mainly on running downs because they had other, more athletic DT's who could penetrate and pressure the quarterback, and had good lateral pursuit skills. But oh yeah--they wanted to keep Smith, because he excelled in his run-stuffing niche.
And that, my MM friends, is a NOSE TACKLE. Everybody yawned when Savage signed him, because they are clueless about what a nose tackle really does. If you try to stop him with just a center, he will deposit the center on top of the quarterback, because he is short, and stronger than dirt. Therefore, you must use a guard on him as well.
On passing downs, it's fine if they just stalemate him, because that guard can't help on the DE or pick up the linebacker or safety that's coming through. On running downs, if they don't MOVE him, they lose. The back has to swing wide of him, and between him and the DE, and right at the linebacker who is attacking this PRE-DETERMINED gap.
A nose tackle might get one, two, or three tackles in a whole game and be awarded a game ball. And get taken for a steak dinner by Wimbley and Jackson. And Shaun Smith was always a nose tackle. He just got stuck on 4-3 teams and relegated to a niche. Always a nose tackle, but young and with experience. He WILL take most of the snaps at nose tackle this season, and he WILL do a good job.
So, we MIGHT or might not need another DE, and we DON'T need a nose tackle. However, there are a number of appropriate DE's and tackles who would convert to DE in this draft, including once again the lower rounds. Naturally, if you can upgrade and the guy is best available, you make a strong unit deeper and stronger (sometimes even if you need something else a lot more).
"A 3-4 defensive end is a glorified tackle"
CORRECTION: a 3-4 DE is often a converted tackle, but they need to be real athletes. They need to be a little taller, or at least have extra long arms, to keep skyscraping offensive tackles from controlling them with their hands. They have to have better lateral quickness, to contain or string out plays.
The nose tackle often gets lost statisticly during a game, and the DE's often are responsible for keeping blockers off linebackers, but they are also expected to make some tackles, pursue, and add to pressure on the pocket. They will often drop into coverage on zone-blitzes, too--and in the event it's a play-fake or a run, pursue and attack line linebackers.
That's not a glorified tackle.
YOU STAND CORRECTED.
CORRECTION: Early in the season, despite the loss of McCutcheon for the season, the Browns defense ranked high against the pass (and the run, for that matter--and especially scoring). It was not until Baxter, and then even Liegh Bodden ALSO went down that this defense became vulnerable to the pass.
INJURIES on a nearly unprecendented scale--along with fatigue--are what accounted for the strafing which then occured. We were starting special teamers and projects at cornerback. They made mistakes and miscommunicated DUH!
And stop ignoring the nature of this defense. The primary coverage is zone. A zone blitze is called a zone blitze because a lineman will drop back to cover a short zone. That's so that a blitze doesn't require man coverage.
Two rookie and sometimes three inexperienced linebackers were periodicly burned short and intermediate, too DUH!
Incredibly, I hear Savage ripped for poor choices in lower rounds already partly because of Antonio Perkins, who-despite this blitzekrieg of injuries, never showed up in the secondary.
Perkins was selected mainly as a special teamer. He was perhaps THE top punt returner in his draft. Savage knew that his coverage skills sucked, and hoped that, with some coaching and experience, he would eventually contribute in this area as well. Also, as a returner, he was to eventually compete to replace Dennis Northcutt. Who was pretty good, ya know? DUH!
At the same time as you wonder what happened to Perkins, you are oblivious to the existance of Demario Minter. Demario Minter was injured as a rookie and unable to compete. Now, HE was drafted as a cornerback. He is a complete cornerback with both man and zone skills, and was projected to compete for the nickel back slot immediately. He showed the talent to eventually take over one of the starting slots.
Well, he still exists! He is healthy now, has learned some stuff about the scheme, etc., and will now compete for a starting slot first, and the nickel slot second.
Meanwhile, Davin Holly started out as toast, but while you were sleeping, rapidly improved, game by game, and finished the season with five interceptions.
"Davin Holly emerged as a nickel cornerback, but the Browns must get a starter".
CORRECTION: Davin Holly STARTED his last several games, and it was as a STARTER, on the outside, that he emerged.
Naturally, we can't assume that Holly is the second coming of Bodden yet, nor assume too much about the promising and talented Minter. Then, too, there is the injury factor (don't we know it!?), and the prevalence of three and four-wide sets. So yeah, we could use more cornerbacks, and an elite starter would be very handy.
But, as usual, the need is massively exhaggerated by Chicken Little and company.
Mike Adams, Justin Hamilton, and Brodney Pool are also factors to which you are oblivious. Adams is a safety/cornerback hybrid who can cover even fast wide recievers. He can be used in coverage in nickel packages.
Hamilton matches up well with the more dangerous tight ends, and projects as a de facto nickel linebacker. Pool has similar skills, and can also take away the bigger possession recievers. This very impressive safety grouping mitigates the need for cornerback depth because of their man skills.
I was just about to say something about that Wright guy, but can't find him on the depth chart. They must have said "nevermind". So so will I. Nevermind.
And listen: this is a 3-4 zone defense. A man cornerback is much different than a zone guy. This is substantially why Savage grabbed Baxter and let Henry go. A zone cornerback is as much a run-defender as a coverage guy. He keeps the bad guys in front of him, with one eye on the backfield at all times. He reads the QB, seeks to anticipate the throw, and breaks foreward on it for a pick, a break-up, or a hard tackle.
Baxter was as much safety as cornerback, and excelled in that scheme. His loss and and the renewed weakeness against the run were not entirely unrelated. Any running back going anywhere around him had him coming at them hard, ala Felix Wright. We tend to think of only linemen and linebackers as tacklers, but in a zone scheme, the cornerbacks are almost as important.
The sexy cornerbacks in every draft are the "shut-down" corners, who may or may not have the heart, desire, or brains to play well in a zone. These are the guys who will go on day one. And this is exactly why Savage was ABLE to nab Minter later on. Minter, as I mentioned, is a total package.
Naturally, a smart coordinator can't run exclusive zone coverage all day, regardless of situation or opponent, so man skills are always useful. Bodden has emerged as a shut-down corner--and since he can do it, Grantham is smart enough to take advantage of it. And of course, another one like him would really give the defense a lot more flexibility.
But there is not urgent need nere, and a cornerback named Wright out of UTEP (I think) might well be there for the Browns in the FOURTH round...or else that Irons guy...
I like Irons better, because he is nasty and likes to beat people up. He feels dissed, and has a chip on his shoulder. He's like Minter: OK in man, excellent in zone. (Wright is a speedster shut-down guy).
But this draft is one of the deepest ever in cornerbacks. When you are a zone team with other needs, you are a moron if you burn a high pick on a cornerback in this situation. (Unless, of course, he's a guy who got in trouble, or for whatever reason slid form a rightful first round spot all the way into the third--THEN ok...so you suddenly got one of the best secondaries in the league. I'll take that!)
But here, now: Holly might come back and prove he can be a consistant starter. He might pick up where he left off, and do another Bodden. Minter probably WILL win at least a nickel role, if not overtake Holly. And even Jereme Perry showed improvement, and did some nice stuff. Why must you always assume a young player won't come back better than he was?
At any rate, you stand corrected.
"We still need a nose tackle and a defensive end".
CORRECTION: The highly disruptive Simon Fraser last season was a liability against the run. He got pushed around. He got tackles for losses and sacks sometimes, but other times got ran over. Ok yeah, but QUIT SHOVELLING DIRT ON HIM, FOR CRYIN OUT LOUD! He aint even dead yet!
Here we go again with the memorex moron (MM) stuff! He was a rookie. He is SIX FOOT SIX and weighED 288. YOU will be surprised if he returns at 305 or 310, but I'll be shocked if he doesn't! He should also have better mechanics, to keep his pad level low.
I'm not predicting that Fraser will be a Pro-Bowl DE in his second season, nor even guaranteeing that he'll be able to start. But YOU declared a NEED for a DE, and already ordered the gravestone for this YOUNG, IMROVING, GROWING, former rookie! Assuming facts not in evidence INCORRECT -bang-bang- NEXT!
Cincinnati restricted Shaun Smith for a reason. That reason is that he could plug up the middle on running downs. He lacks the speed and burst to attack the quarterback, but he can take on a double team and keep guards and centers off linebackers.
Cinci runs a 4-3, so Smith was used mainly on running downs because they had other, more athletic DT's who could penetrate and pressure the quarterback, and had good lateral pursuit skills. But oh yeah--they wanted to keep Smith, because he excelled in his run-stuffing niche.
And that, my MM friends, is a NOSE TACKLE. Everybody yawned when Savage signed him, because they are clueless about what a nose tackle really does. If you try to stop him with just a center, he will deposit the center on top of the quarterback, because he is short, and stronger than dirt. Therefore, you must use a guard on him as well.
On passing downs, it's fine if they just stalemate him, because that guard can't help on the DE or pick up the linebacker or safety that's coming through. On running downs, if they don't MOVE him, they lose. The back has to swing wide of him, and between him and the DE, and right at the linebacker who is attacking this PRE-DETERMINED gap.
A nose tackle might get one, two, or three tackles in a whole game and be awarded a game ball. And get taken for a steak dinner by Wimbley and Jackson. And Shaun Smith was always a nose tackle. He just got stuck on 4-3 teams and relegated to a niche. Always a nose tackle, but young and with experience. He WILL take most of the snaps at nose tackle this season, and he WILL do a good job.
So, we MIGHT or might not need another DE, and we DON'T need a nose tackle. However, there are a number of appropriate DE's and tackles who would convert to DE in this draft, including once again the lower rounds. Naturally, if you can upgrade and the guy is best available, you make a strong unit deeper and stronger (sometimes even if you need something else a lot more).
"A 3-4 defensive end is a glorified tackle"
CORRECTION: a 3-4 DE is often a converted tackle, but they need to be real athletes. They need to be a little taller, or at least have extra long arms, to keep skyscraping offensive tackles from controlling them with their hands. They have to have better lateral quickness, to contain or string out plays.
The nose tackle often gets lost statisticly during a game, and the DE's often are responsible for keeping blockers off linebackers, but they are also expected to make some tackles, pursue, and add to pressure on the pocket. They will often drop into coverage on zone-blitzes, too--and in the event it's a play-fake or a run, pursue and attack line linebackers.
That's not a glorified tackle.
YOU STAND CORRECTED.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Offensive Line Corrections
"We have a gaping hole in the offensive line"..."No matter who we have at quarterback, he'll get killed."..."We don't have anybody besides Tucker at right tackle."..."We should take Joe Thomas"..."Et Cetera."
CORRECTION: While you were sleeping, Savage brought in not just Steinbach, but also Seth McKinney. Regarded by many as the top center in his draft class, McKinney has been a starter for most of his carreer. Much of it at center, but plenty at guard as well. He did not have BACK surgery, but neck surgery. Nothing to mess with, to be sure, but not as bad for a guard. He is not old, and has no long injury history.
So, since he's not a Pro-Bowler, who cares, right? He's only 300 lbs., right?
Well, remember way back in the last draft? They drafted a left tackle named Isaac Sowells, planning to turn him into a guard? Well, he has not ceased to exist. Savage doesn't draft people just so he can cut them, and players who he drafts don't sit around with their thumbs up their butts and vegetate. Sowells will compete with McKinney to start at right guard.
What is it with you people? Why are concepts like growth, development, refinement, and practice so alien to you?
Here's something else you were oblivious to: Shaffer: 295 lb. cut/wall-off blocker. Steinbach: Ex-tight end. Fraley: 290 lbs., but athletic. McKinney: Center, athletic. Sowells: Picked for his athleticism.
That's a zone-blocking offensive line.
And why do you think a left tackle needs to be a big monster, even in a conventional line?
Speaking of which, right tackle, here, is the exception. Behind Tucker is Kelly Butler. Kelly was a young, developing player with starting experience. Last season, he did a decent job in relief of Tucker, and is still improving. Kelly Butler is loaded with talent, and has Pro Bowl potential.
Sure, I'd like to replace Shaffer, but if the new coaches do go with a zone-blocking scheme, he'll suddenly look a whole lot better.
Zone-Blocking: The linemen are not assigned targets by the center or quarterback pre-snap. They are going to run-block in one direction, angling right or left. They must be smart and quick-thinking--each guy has to adjust to what's in front of him as the ball is snapped. Repetitions together are important.
Shaffer broadsides a DT or linebacker, depending on how the defense has lined up. Steinbach's target is likewise fluid. Each individual lineman must adjust. On the right, the right tackle might engage the DE square up, with the guard scraping him. (He hits him from the side, getting him off-balance and turned sideways), then keeps going looking to smash somebody upfield.
A lot of that goes on--chips and scrapes. The offensive linemen start out in one direction, and then keep going.
The running back angles along the line, having no preassigned hole to hit. He just looks for the best-looking place to run and cuts upfield (or back) into it.
The defense can't key a tight end or fullback presnap or post-snap, because they could be lead-blocking, sealing off backside pursuit, or looking to wham somebody inside. They could be going with, or against the play.
It's nearly impossible for a defense to maintain gap-control or anticipate anything. This is why, in Denver, ordinary running backs look like superstars.
Pass-blocking? Zone lines tend to be very good at it, because they are athletes, and not just big fat guys you can run around. The same chip-blocking principles apply to pass-protection as well. A guard hits the center's guy, then jumps back in case somebody got around his tackle. They can move to help the guy that's getting pushed around.
Look at the guards everybody is talking about in this draft. They're all big monsters. Nothing wrong with that...but the lighter, more athletic guys don't get taken until the later rounds, see? Get it?
The left tackle with the most potential in this draft is Staley. Thomas is for real, allright, but longer-term, you take a Staley lower. You pay less money. You don't waste a draft pick. and in three years you've got the best left tackle out of the class. "NOW-NOW-NOW!!!" No. Not when you're building a team to last.
Look at you: For you, Sowells does not even exist! You've already written the dude off, along with McKinney. True, McKinney is undersized for a normal line, but is IDEAL for a zone line. But the notion of this team doing anything different never entered your mind either.
Could we use four more Pro-Bowlers? SURE! Should we draft a real stud who slides and is cheap? Of course. Can the line be improved? Yep. Is there a gaping hole in it? NO. If we don't go through FIVE centers and get the rest decimated and playing musical chairs, the QB will be ok.
See? You can't even separate injuries and disruption from talent.
Ok you stand corrected.
CORRECTION: While you were sleeping, Savage brought in not just Steinbach, but also Seth McKinney. Regarded by many as the top center in his draft class, McKinney has been a starter for most of his carreer. Much of it at center, but plenty at guard as well. He did not have BACK surgery, but neck surgery. Nothing to mess with, to be sure, but not as bad for a guard. He is not old, and has no long injury history.
So, since he's not a Pro-Bowler, who cares, right? He's only 300 lbs., right?
Well, remember way back in the last draft? They drafted a left tackle named Isaac Sowells, planning to turn him into a guard? Well, he has not ceased to exist. Savage doesn't draft people just so he can cut them, and players who he drafts don't sit around with their thumbs up their butts and vegetate. Sowells will compete with McKinney to start at right guard.
What is it with you people? Why are concepts like growth, development, refinement, and practice so alien to you?
Here's something else you were oblivious to: Shaffer: 295 lb. cut/wall-off blocker. Steinbach: Ex-tight end. Fraley: 290 lbs., but athletic. McKinney: Center, athletic. Sowells: Picked for his athleticism.
That's a zone-blocking offensive line.
And why do you think a left tackle needs to be a big monster, even in a conventional line?
Speaking of which, right tackle, here, is the exception. Behind Tucker is Kelly Butler. Kelly was a young, developing player with starting experience. Last season, he did a decent job in relief of Tucker, and is still improving. Kelly Butler is loaded with talent, and has Pro Bowl potential.
Sure, I'd like to replace Shaffer, but if the new coaches do go with a zone-blocking scheme, he'll suddenly look a whole lot better.
Zone-Blocking: The linemen are not assigned targets by the center or quarterback pre-snap. They are going to run-block in one direction, angling right or left. They must be smart and quick-thinking--each guy has to adjust to what's in front of him as the ball is snapped. Repetitions together are important.
Shaffer broadsides a DT or linebacker, depending on how the defense has lined up. Steinbach's target is likewise fluid. Each individual lineman must adjust. On the right, the right tackle might engage the DE square up, with the guard scraping him. (He hits him from the side, getting him off-balance and turned sideways), then keeps going looking to smash somebody upfield.
A lot of that goes on--chips and scrapes. The offensive linemen start out in one direction, and then keep going.
The running back angles along the line, having no preassigned hole to hit. He just looks for the best-looking place to run and cuts upfield (or back) into it.
The defense can't key a tight end or fullback presnap or post-snap, because they could be lead-blocking, sealing off backside pursuit, or looking to wham somebody inside. They could be going with, or against the play.
It's nearly impossible for a defense to maintain gap-control or anticipate anything. This is why, in Denver, ordinary running backs look like superstars.
Pass-blocking? Zone lines tend to be very good at it, because they are athletes, and not just big fat guys you can run around. The same chip-blocking principles apply to pass-protection as well. A guard hits the center's guy, then jumps back in case somebody got around his tackle. They can move to help the guy that's getting pushed around.
Look at the guards everybody is talking about in this draft. They're all big monsters. Nothing wrong with that...but the lighter, more athletic guys don't get taken until the later rounds, see? Get it?
The left tackle with the most potential in this draft is Staley. Thomas is for real, allright, but longer-term, you take a Staley lower. You pay less money. You don't waste a draft pick. and in three years you've got the best left tackle out of the class. "NOW-NOW-NOW!!!" No. Not when you're building a team to last.
Look at you: For you, Sowells does not even exist! You've already written the dude off, along with McKinney. True, McKinney is undersized for a normal line, but is IDEAL for a zone line. But the notion of this team doing anything different never entered your mind either.
Could we use four more Pro-Bowlers? SURE! Should we draft a real stud who slides and is cheap? Of course. Can the line be improved? Yep. Is there a gaping hole in it? NO. If we don't go through FIVE centers and get the rest decimated and playing musical chairs, the QB will be ok.
See? You can't even separate injuries and disruption from talent.
Ok you stand corrected.
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