Well, ok I found out that he showed up at the combine out of shape, which is a huge red flag. In order to succeed in the pros, you have to be very, very dedicated. Also I now wonder about his weight. Is ne NORMALLY 230, or is 230 his fat weight?
His 4.73 clock-time is scary, but again, there was the injury, and being also out of shape makes it almost meaningless.
However, he still has a great shot of making the team, and could well return to his pre-injury form and wind up being a huge steal. I now boldly predict not only that he might make the team, but might play a lot too. Unless he doesn't.
Fontaine Hunter is a nice player, and is actually 228. (I am the victim of more faulty intelligence again.) If he makes it he'd be a role-player in coverage, or mainly a special teamer. He has the stature to gain muscle, and could expand his roles IN THE FUTURE. NOT YET. I will periodicly remind you of his continued existance, should he make the team but not immediately start.
On Shaffer, sure Romeo told him it's his job to lose, but he's doomed, and everybody knows it. I mean, Thomas is better coming off the bus, and will earn the job.
I tell ya, I empathize with Shaffer. It's not his fault that Savage overpaid him. This is one of the things Savage did which demonstrate his ungodlike imperfection, for which many instantly called for his head. (This is Cleveland. We like firing people here. Makes us feel important! And we all know better than guys like Savage.)
No, Shaffer just took the deal offered and did his best. If it wasn't good enough, it's not because he didn't try.
And I've been thinking--maybe it would be for the best, should we be stuck with him, to indeed put him at right tackle in a zone-blocking line. At left tackle, he got beat some--but at right tackle, he could probobly be a more effective pass-protector. And his style and traits suit a zone scheme a ton better than a Tucker or a Butler.
However, the WHOLE line needn't be zone-types for zone schemes to work. It can be adapted to the personnel, just as there are several versions of the 3-4 defense. At guard, really--he'd be no better than anybody else. You think you can just stick any offensive lineman anywhere? Jeez!
Anyway I read about the second day of training. I read seemingly innocuous quotes and find more meaning than you average person.
Romeo commented on the inexperienced recievers blowing routes, by way of explaining why Quinn missed several passes. That right there told me that there will be a timing element in the passing game, as Quinn was indeed throwing at "windows", and not just at recievers.
When a reciever zigs when he was supposed to zag, the ball goes to empty space. Everybody boos the quarterback and wonders if he's retarded. People with homo-sapiens brains can look at the replay and see where the nearest reciever was, and deduce that he was supposed to break to his right right...there!
But that's far too difficult for a drunken mob with ropes and torches to comprehend.
Anyway, as I was saying before I so rudely interrupted myself, this is a great sign that the YOUNG new coaches don't intend to stick the square Quinn in a round hole. Timing is good for him. Might not be so much for Jamarcus Russell, but for this kid, it is.
But those recievers have to be on the same page DO YOU HEAR ME BRAYLON EDWARDS?
Back to the offensive line.
If Thomas (by mid-season) is a 9, and Steinbach remains a 9, then the tandem on the left side will be a 10, and probably the best left side in the NFL.
Oh! Just saw the new depth chart! They've got Tucker aimed at right guard, and Shaffer pencilled in at right tackle! Is this from the team or a bunch of clowns guessing? Well let's go with that:
I already addressed Shaffer. Now Tucker as a guard I believe would be a major-league mauler. He's absolutely NOT well-suited for a zone-blocking scheme, but I wonder...4 fast guys and one goon near the middle hmm...I'll need to digest some more.
Anyway, Fraley, McKinney and Shaffer in a conventional line at their positions are solid pass-protectors, but not so hot in run-blocking. Call them a 5, 5, and 4. (I'm factoring in their positions and talking run-blocking only. The guard and center will often attack linebackers or pull.)
But in a ZONE scheme, they're all more like 8's! Do you see what I mean yet? This would make the same people a LOT more effective opening holes.
ZONEZONEZONE...
Okbye
No comments:
Post a Comment