Between the Lines

Alternatives not considered by those less insightful, imaginative, knowlegable or brilliant than my humble self...which might or might not include my enthusiasticly dedicated NON-readers:

Seth McKinney is a pretty good center, and may be a better center than guard. He's a little bigger and stronger than Fraley. The issue is, if McKinney's neck surgery involved a fusion of vertabrae, he may no longer be able to play the position--at least not as well.

But assuming he can, what about this tackle thing? On the "fanmonster" website, which is linked to scout.com's Browns website, Shaffer is now listed at right tackle, and Tucker at right guard.

These guys tend to make some pretty big, and often irrational assumptions in re the ultimate depth chart, but in this case, they could be partially correct. But first, to attack their dumb premises:

1: Tucker may very well not be a better RG than McKinney. He's never played the position, is tall for it, hence has less leverage, and is slow afoot for this slot.

2: Shaffer is almost certainly not as good as Tucker at right tackle. He might have better mobility and be a slightly better pass-blocker vs. quick/fast guys...BUT defenses usually put run-stuffing bull-rushers on the strong side, and this even includes 250 lb. linebackers who will engage a backpedalling blocker at about 20mph and under his pads. There, Tucker is still better. It's even possible that Kelly Butler is a better RT than Shaffer.

3: None of this contemplates the possible shift to a zone scheme which I've been talking about in my vaccum of empty space for some time. In that scheme, Shaffer might indeed be a better RT, but Mckinney would be a better RG than Tucker.

Now, if they just go by ignoring the scheme and trying to field the best five linemen, period; ie simply make the most of their talent and try to set up a uniquely adapted mix of zone and man, then it could be Shaffer at RT, Tucker at RG, and McKinney at center (if his surgery has not restricted his head motion).

...although...since Fraley may be faster and more athletic than McKinney, and would be flanked by Steinbach and Tucker, I couldn't rule out McKinney as the back-up at both, or all three, slots.

Regardless of what they do, you know what? This will be a pretty damn good offensive line!

On the defensive line, I return to Orien Harris. Pittsburgh drafted him, and only because of the extraordinary depth they have on their Dline were they forced to try to sneak him onto their practice squad, where the ever-alert Phil Savage happily stole him--hahaha!

Harris was an interior lineman in college, being converted. He's big, fast, athletic, and can get to quarterbacks.

All the "experts" acknowlege that Robaire Smith is an exceptional 3-4 DE, and (outside of the Cleveland Oxbow mob), that Shaun Smith should be a good, or even very good, nose tackle. But most underrate Fraser and Harris, who are talented players entering only their second years.

As I mentioned, Fraser will be bigger and stronger than he was, and very probably more effective when called upon to hold his position against the run. Harris needed similar work, specificly in run-stopping, but already had the requisite physical tools.

Those questioning depth on the defensive line are making yet still more huge ASSumptions. They talk about a Washington/Smith rotation at nose tackle. The more likely scenario is Washington taking maybe 20% of the snaps, Oshinowo and/or another player 20%, and Smith most of the rest. (This is if Oshi isn't released, which he could be.)

Let me explain that: Oshinowo, of he's here, would be the most effective inside pass-rusher on obvious passing downs and, as I mentioned, being short, wide, and 305 lbs. might be good enough for nose tackle if his technique improves. How many times do I need to mention Bradley or Golic? Oshi has the quickness, intelligence, and brute strenth to make these refinements and emerge as an every-down nose tackle...just like ALL his college scouting reports indicate.

The ASSumption is that Fraser might "emerge as" a backup for Roye, but Roye is getting pretty old, and a rotation is more likely, featuring Fraser on passing downs. Indeed, given Fraser's youth and Roye's unavoidable decline, Fraser could already be the better player. Sorry for the shocking dose of reality, there.

Robaire is also on the high side of thirty, but leaner and still near the top of his game. Still, that is a demanding position, and you can expect rotation on the weak side as well--in this case with Orien Harris on passing downs.

Depth on the defensive line, assuming that I'm correct about the almost certain improvements of Harris and Fraser against the run, is pretty damn good. No one player need be required to play more than six out of ten downs, so they can stay rested and healthy. That sort of depth is actually critical for a 3-4 defensive line, or else it will always wear down in the fourth quarter and late in the season.

You stand corrected.

More Correcshuns

Below is a chat transcript from www.browns.scout.com . Adam Caplan runs sportsinjuries.com, and I've found him to be a really excellent source. He has excellent connections around the NFL, and somehow manages to track each of the 32 teams as if he's a native fan. Perhaps most important, he doesn't often interpose his personal biasses in what he reports. He is insightful, knowlegable, objective, and...not...perfect.

Still, this is mostly so I can pick on the dumbass fans asking the dumbass questions:

Adam Caplan: Hi all
jevanoff: Hey Adam, is there really a reason for optimism about Lecharles Bentley, or just postponing the inevitable?
Adam Caplan: JEV: It's unlikely he plays this season. Lets put it that way.
Brownsfan91171: Adam, any truth about the rumors that Quinn will be a hold out? On the other hand, Thomas seems like he is pushing his agent to get in on time.
Adam Caplan: BR: I talked about that a few weeks ago in the chat, Condon has a history of holdouts.
Wile E: Standard procedure, like a lawyer who files trivial motions. Like a kidnapper's M.O. What a prick.
amore: How likely is it that LCB will ever play again?
Adam Caplan: AM: Only his doctor can answer that.
ramllov: Adam, How do you rate the Browns defensive line. Last year it was poor. With a healthy Roye, Robarie Smith and Shawn Smith, do you now rate it fair?
Adam Caplan: RAM: Talent and depth has been upgraded.Adam Caplan: So it should be better.Adam Caplan: Depth is really esential with Washington and Roye there.
Wile E: And RAC won't cut Washington until he's in a wheelchair.
jevanoff: adam, all things being equal, what QB has looked the best THIS year in OTA's with the new offense?
Adam Caplan: JEV: Too early to say, all are in a learning curve. Good thing with Quinn is he's grasping the scheme well so far, that's really big. His throws are off but that's typical when you're new.
Wile E: The sky is not falling DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
Brownsfan91171: Adam, how long before Thomas is first string LT?
Adam Caplan: BR: We'll see what transpires during training camp but unless he kicks ass then, expect to see Shaffer starting.
Wile E: CORRECTION: Thomas is already pretty refined/advanced, and is probably already better than Shaffer in every phase. There's no rational reason to prevent him from getting reps with the first team, and the players he must integrate with. Adam really, really, reallyreallyreally values experience, and tends to undervalue rookies.
cmayer2222: Were would you say our 3 biggest weakness' our adam!
Adam Caplan: CM: CB, QB based on for this season, OL depth
Wile E: CORRECTION: This "CB" fixation is almost beyond comprehension, and makes me think Adam should get checked for Alzheimer's. Bodden, Wright, Rodney Hollyfield, Rodney Minterfield are the top four. One of the safeties is a CB/FS hybrid. Where Perry is competing for the fifth slot, this is a very STRONG, and deep unit. Here again, Adam has downgraded Wright and all but dismissed Minter due to lack of game-tapes/experience, and failed to isolate Holly's last four games from the bulk of his time, or factor in the off-season he's had to digest it.
ramllov: Adam, defensive line again, Is Orien Harris DE going to be on the team or practice squad, does he have an upside?
Adam Caplan: RAM: A little based on college projections
Wile E: Harris will be somewhere on the active depth-chart unless they can find somebody better. He has a LOT of upside based on projections, but he has to be committed and disciplined--which is tougher to predict.
BleedingOrangeandBrown: Adam, Based on the latest article it looks like THomas may be the first in the top 5 to be sighned. DO you see that as a reality?
Adam Caplan: BL: His agents have a good history of getting guys signed on time.
jevanoff: is there anyone who has been a major dissapointment so far in OTAs other than perkins?
Adam Caplan: JEV: Not that I've heard.
amore: Is there more to the story in the Browns scouting staff shake up or was it simply a family matter?
Adam Caplan: AM: The guy replacing him is very good.
Adam Caplan: That's all I really need to say.
Adam Caplan: Very well respected and could be a future GM.
Wile E: Some changes are upgrades. HONEST!
redright: Adam, what is your thoughts on Sowells for this year?
Adam Caplan: RED: Hopefully he will develop as the #3 G
Wile E: Adam is from Missouri. Not enough game film-not a first-day pick. Didn't start ergo can't. Another guard, Fred Matua, was drafted by Detroit in the seventh, ergo does not exist for Adam. Adam also never considered the probability of a lot of trap and zone-blocking.
ramllov: Adam, Have you heard anything about McKinney and his recovery, I hear he is practicing, but there is no contact?
Adam Caplan: RAM: So far, so good with McKinney.
jevanoff: i still don't understand why they won't move Leon Williams to OLB to start over Willie McGinest. Is there some magic reason other than he is 'considered an ILB.
Adam Caplan: JEV: I asked RAC that at the combine, he said for this season, he's at ILB.Adam Caplan: But I would agree with his skills and size he projects more to OLB down the line
Wile E: CORRECTION: Williams is equally qualified for any of the linebacker slots, in a 3-4 or a 4-3. As an inside backer, he has extraordinary range and can get to the QB quicker than anyone else. Antwan Peek is better qualified at OLB in this particular scheme, and situationally Chaun Thompson is similar to Williams in that role. Niether of these players would do as well inside. With these personnel and in this scheme, Williams gets on the field the most, and is most effective, inside. Shame on you, Adam!
ramllov: Adam, If McKinney is healthy without any effects from his injury, is he the starting RG September 9th?
Adam Caplan: RAM: Don't see why he wouldn't be at this point.
Wile E: DUH!
Adam Caplan: They have no one else
Wile E: There we go again. Sowells or Matua might or might not be good enough, but it's assenine to assume they aren't simply because they haven't played much, or because your other GM's and personnel guys are unimpressed with Sowells in his limitted time as a rookie converted tackle. And then, there's Tucker. Tucker CAN play guard...but Adam aint seen it yet, ergo it can't happen.
redright: What can you say about our coaching staff this year? Can you say that they seem to be working in unison?
Adam Caplan: RED: So far, so good
BleedingOrangeandBrown: Any more updates on Baxter?Think he will make it in time for season kick off?
Adam Caplan: BLE: He's running so that's goodAdam Caplan: Best case is he practices once a day in training camp but he has a long way to go.
Wile E: Please think of better questions, ok? Baxter is expendable, and it hardly matters.
Adam Caplan: BTW, Harrison looks good so far... increased size could help him in his projected passing down, change of pace role.Adam Caplan: But again, no contact
Wile E: And what he did last season means nothing? Can't we extrapolate just a little teeny-tiny bit, here? Good thing you aint a cop, Adam. You'd need to confirm that the thing pointed at your head was actually a loaded gun before you'd shoot back.
jdailey23: Hows tucker looking?
Adam Caplan: JD: OL you really can't tell much because they can't hit
Wile E: His problem wasn't physical and he's not washed up, so obviously he'll be fine--JEEZ!
ramllov: Adam, Have you heard if Simon Fraser, DE, has become stronger since last season? I read that he had problems holding the corner last year. What is your take?
Adam Caplan: RAM: Hard to say with them in shorts
Wile E: Adam stop it you're killing me. IS he bigger? If he is, then you can make an educated freaking guess, can't you? Are you some sort of computer program or something? Ram, that's better. Stick to the relevant! It's also great that it even OCCURRED to somebody besides me that the dude would be bigger and stronger! You da man!
Adam Caplan: RBs you can tell a little moreamore: Lewis, Wright, Harrison - is this enough at RB?
Adam Caplan: AM: Rotation should be good
Wile E: THANK YOU!!!
smagyar: Adam, what about Baba Oshinowo? I keep hearing he's too small for NT...
Adam Caplan: SM: He may have to play DE, we'll see how he looks in August.
Wile E: CORRECTION: Oshi is to short to play DE consistantly. The tackles, and perhaps even TE's, could control him at arm's length. He doesn't have the requisite speed, change-of-direction, or range, either. 305 at 6' can be okay for a nose tackle or rush DT, however. It's about leverage, and penetration can replace bulk.
BleedingOrangeandBrown: 1,0Think the added size to Harrison's frame will help him in his blocking assignments?Adam Caplan: BL: That but his technique must improveAdam Caplan: you don't have to be strong to block
Wile E: Here we go from understatement to overstatement, and more intellectual timidity. Weight is a big factor in blocking, and technique is LEARNED. We can safely assume that Harrison has learned and will be a better blocker. That's just ALMOST obvious, so it's far too risky for Adam to call a probable.
amore: Frye, Anderson, Quinn, Dorsey - who is the odd man out?Adam Caplan: AM: DorseyAdam Caplan: has to beAdam Caplan: unless they can trade FryeAdam Caplan: but at this point they can't give him a way
Brownsfan91171: Adam, is there any option to make dorsey a coach?
Adam Caplan: BR: Possibly when they tell him he's cut
jdailey23: Any chance Dorsey goes on the practice squad, or will someone grab him beforeAdam Caplan: JD: He's not practice squad eligible
Wile E: Dude, you don't stick 3-4 year vets on practice squads and kick your future talent to the curb. Get a clue.
amore: Is Frye the opening day starter or does Anderson have a real chance?
Adam Caplan: AM: Anderson has a pretty good chance to start over FryeAdam Caplan: He gives them a better chance to win
Wile E: You are correct, sir! RAC has an unfortunate Martonian tendancy to prioritize experience over talent or ability, but his ass is on the line and he's going to have to let the best man win, period. If he doesn't--or tries to keep Thomas on the bench--if I'm Phil Savage I'll FORCE him to change his mind.
But that probably aint neccessary. RAC will listen to Chud, and Chud don't play.
ramllov: Adam, Have you heard anything about Braylon Edwards, on how he is looking in camp? Running good routes etc?
Adam Caplan: RAM: He's picked up the paceAdam Caplan: He'll be fine
redright: Curious isn't it to think that Frye is our likely starter come Sept and the Browns can't give him away? What is the story?
Adam Caplan: RED: Not sure what you mean,Adam Caplan: Who said Frye is the likely starter?
Wile E: But...he's from Ohio! I don't...what is...like Bernie...I don't understand..........
amore: Is Trent Green ever going to get to Miami?jevanoff: he went today amoreAdam
Caplan: Green went for a conditional 5thAdam Caplan: could be a 4thAdam Caplan: if he meets playing time requirements
Wile E: Could you stick to Browns questions, butthead?
grinch: Do the Falcons regret trading Schaub given the whole Vick dogfighting investigation ?Adam Caplan: GR: I would bet they've thought about that
Wile E: There goes more questions about other teams. You guys suck.
ramllov: KC ' s GM did a good jobAdam Caplan:
RAM: Very good, he told Miami they had to do the trade this week or they were keepinghim
Wile E: How many paragraphs was that on KC and Miami? Dumbasses.
redright: Adam...the Browns cant trade Frye. There are no takers. Most post and article I read "predict" Frye to be our starter until Quinn in week 6 or so can start. Curious? How do you see it?
Adam Caplan: RED: Again, as I said previously, Anderson gives them the best chance to win.
amore: Only hope to trade Frye is if there are a lot of QB injuries in training camp
Adam Caplan: AM: Probably so
ramllov: I am surprised that Atlanta did not make a run at Green considering their dawg QB.Adam Caplan: RAM: They have HarringtonAdam Caplan: so they're locked in with him
Wile E: Oh for cryin' out loud!
ramllov: Maybe frye will go to Atlana
ramllov: so what good is Harrington, he is worthless
Adam Caplan: RAM: I don't see it, he's no better than HarringtonAdam Caplan: Frye has more athleticism
Brownsfan91171: Adam who has looked most impressive through all of the OTAs to date?
Adam Caplan: BR: Hard to say because there's no contact but Harrison is getting off to a good start.
Wile E: Way to stick you neck out, Adam!
jevanoff: adam how is the browns starting OL not one of the best in the league? what more can they do or upgrade? the odd man out may be a starting NFL left tackle ..
Adam Caplan: JEV: I can't see Shaffer being traded unless Thomas does really well in training camp.Adam Caplan: They're somewhere in the middle of the pack
Wile E: MOST HIGH FIRST ROUND LEFT TACKLES START IMMEDIATELY AND ARE SUCCESSFUL.
amore: Could Shaffer be traded during training camp?
Adam Caplan: AM: Mid to late August if Thomas is doing well
Wile E: And Thomas WILL BE doing well. Adam, maybe it's a hormonal thing with you. Better check it out.
amore: Do Giants still have interest?
Adam Caplan: AM: CLE called NYG from what I understandAdam Caplan: Not other way around.
ramllov: Adam, how many good QBs do you see in the NFL today?
Adam Caplan: RAM: Too general a question for chat
Wile E: WHO CARES?
BleedingOrangeandBrown: Why would Browns be willing to take the cap hit by trading Shaffer this season Admam? They could use the depth
Adam Caplan: BL: Again, they plan on keeping him which I've said for weeks
Probably true, since they're stuck with his massive signing bonus anyway, and he'd be good depth at left and maybe a starter right in a zone scheme.
redright: If quinn is our future and Anderson is the best chance of winning, does it mean that Frye and Dorsey are gone it the Browns can get anything? does it mean that we may still see a veteran QB before the season starts?
Adam Caplan: RED: Dorsey is going to be let go, that's pretty certain
Wile E: And OBVIOUS.
ramllov: Adam, do you see Charlie Frye as an NFL quarerback three to five years out?
Adam Caplan: RAM: NopeAdam Caplan: As far as a starterAdam Caplan: backup maybe
jevanoff: does dorsey know that
Adam Caplan: JEV: My mom knows he doesn't have a chanceAdam Caplan: Smart guy but really doesn't offer much for on the field
amore: KW2 recovery from microfracture going well? What kind of year can we expect from him?
Adam Caplan: AM: Key will be how he looks when the pads go on, how well he movesAdam Caplan: In this scheme TEs will stretch the field so he has to move better
Wile E: It would be nice for him to regain his straight-line speed, but no TE in the NFL "moves better" than K2 did for the last two season. The TE here will challenge the deep safety--because he can screen-off and overpower him. Adam, what are you talking bout?
ramllov: What have you heard about Derek Anderson in camp? Adam
Adam Caplan: RAM: The QBs have been pretty much the same, learning the scheme, Anderson tooAdam Caplan: None of them have separated themselvesAdam Caplan: That's pretty much par for the course in OTAs
amore: Does Chud have what it takes to be a decent offensive coordinator?
Adam Caplan: AM: yesAdam Caplan: has worked under good coaches
Wile E: I guess Adam is more liberal with coaches than with players. I'd expected him to say no, because Chud had never been an OC before.
redright: What chance is there of the Browns getting a veteran QB before the season starts?Adam Caplan: RED: Depends on how the top three look during training campAdam Caplan: Holcomb is available
ramllov: Adam, Ethan Kelly, NT, does he have a future with the Cleveland Browns?Adam Caplan: RAM: Probably, Pats liked him
clebrowns80: Adam, do you see Travis Wilson starting this year?Adam Caplan: CLE: NopeAdam Caplan: Hopefully he will be the #3
Wile E: If he is more productive than Jurevicious, which he might be, he will start. Jurevicious is another year older, and Wilson is much faster, with many of the same traits otherwise. Adam just doesn't have any tape on Wilson.
redright: Tim Carter, considered a bust in NY...how does he look so far? Can he hold onto the ball? Run a route?
Adam Caplan: RED: Fast but has a long way to go
Wile E: What the hell does THAT mean? Anyway, Carter is probably the fourth reciever, used mainly in 3 or 4-wide, do-or-die sets, or against defenses which are vulnerable deep.
jevanoff: adam i really like what i've heard/seen about shaun smith so far, is it possible he takes over the starter at NT some point?
Adam Caplan: JEV: We'll see how he does when it counts when the pads go on
Wile E: Jeez, Adam! Probably yes, jevanoff. And Adam knows it.
amore: Does the new salary cap year start on June 1? What happens to all the cap room the Browns had left as of June 1?
Adam Caplan: AM: June 2 is when you can cut guys for reliefAdam Caplan: but changes in CBA gave teams 2 guys to cut earlyAdam Caplan: to do that
redright: After three years in the pros can anyone teach Carter to catch?
Adam Caplan: RED: IT's up to him
ramllov: February they were talking about it, now they are practicing it. I just wonder if they are doing what you expected.
Adam Caplan: RAM: They're all learning it and applying what they're taught in classroom setting.
Cheesedog: What do you think would prevent Wilson from taking the #2 position from Joe J? Experience or something else? Thanks.
Adam Caplan: CH: Experience and he didn't really play last yearAdam Caplan: no reason to think he'll start unless he has a great training campAdam Caplan: But as I've said before, he could start down the lineAdam Caplan: he has that kind of talent.
Wile E: For Adam, that took a whole lotta guts.
redright: I assume our roster is 99% set. Is there any player or position you see a change at?Adam Caplan: RED: You could see OL depth get improved by August
Adam Caplan: CB also
Adam Caplan: that's a problem, they have bodies but talent upgrade is needed
Wile E: Bullshit.
musicdyn: Adam, now that Harrison has bulked up can he be a long term solution at RB?
Adam Caplan: MU: Ask me at the end of AugustAdam Caplan: AugustAdam Caplan: I may actually be able to answer thatAdam Caplan: this yearAdam Caplan: Brian Westbrook really bulked up and it helpedAdam Caplan: and he didn't lose any speedAdam Caplan: that's really key for Harrison
Wile E: That's true, but they usually don't. A good percentage of the extra weight, especially given Harrison's frame, is added to the calves, thighs, and butt. He could even be faster in a straight line sprint. Tiki Barber did the same, developing phenominal lower-body strength. This also means more for shorter players, because the motion is far more consistant and compact...nevermind.
jevanoff: adam, CB's can be evaluated a fair amount without pads, has eric wright looked like a starter?
Adam Caplan: JEV: Footwork and knowledge of scheme is about all you can seeAdam Caplan: Nothing bad so farAdam Caplan: which is good
Wile E: given his lack of experience, and the complexity of the zone system, it's outstanding. One of the reasons he was so valued was that he's very, very smart. He'll need to be a HITTER and aggressive run-stopper, though.
Brownsfan91171: Adam, you think OL depth is that bad? The fans think it is a strength now.
Adam Caplan: Other than Butler, no one can start of their backups
Wile E: See that? The only reason he gives Rodney Butlerfield that much credit is the fact that he WAS a starter before the Browns got him. The young guys have potential--Sowells even at RT. They're simply unproven S O F A R.
Adam Caplan: Guys: That's all the time I have, we'll do it again in two weeks

Sorry about this, Adam, but this time you get a C-minus. You saved yourself from failing by acknowleging Harrison's and Wilson's potentials, giving Rodney Andersonfield a fair shot, and admitting that Butler doesn't suck.

If I was grading on a curve, you'd get a B, mainly because Mary Kay Cabot is pretty good, but here we have to go by my own stringent standards.

Browns Post-Draft Forum Corrections

Ldawgish1204 says...
Quinn will be to the Browns what King James is to the Cavs. Bottom line when you want something done right recruit the homegrown! Go Brownies!!!!


I say: Just a tad optimistic.


"In the end, the two men who had gone through so much the past two seasons were finally smiling ear-to-ear after they pulled off the impossible on draft day."
---------
Who are you kidding? As usual, Romeo had nothing to with this. This was Savage's play. And if you really think Quinn can save Romeo from himself, you must have simply had your head in the sand the last two years.
Romeo has proved beyond question, that the NFL head coaching position is far beyond his abilities. He will be fired either during or after the 2007 season, and he will NEVER be offered another head coaching job. He will be picked up by someone as a defensive coordinator, but then after it becomes clear that without Bill Belichek handing him his assignments he's not very good at that either, he'll just fade into oblivion.
It's good to see that the Browns are gathering some talent, at least the next coach will have something to work with. But anyone who truely believes that RAC will ever see .500 in the NFL needs to have his head examined.


I say: This team was all but destroyed by injuries last season, and EIGHT of the key players were rookies. To blame that on any coach is idiotic. I'd play your last line back to you, but you need to get it extracted from your butt first.


Fatzo says...
The Browns are Cleveland, The fans have suffered terribly since Nov 6,1995 when Art Modell decided to move the franchise to Baltimore.Its been 12 years of total hell. However, The diehard fans have stayed the course (including me) and when we win ( it will be very soon) the taste of a Super Bowl Victory will be so sweet, you will not have an adjective to describe the happiness the fans of Cleveland will have.
BROWNS SUPER BOWL CHAMPS 2009


All the Romeo bashers think about this. He was a D coordinator without Belicheck. For the Browns and coached the only player to make the pro bowl for the Browns since they have been back . That was Jamir Miller. There are several players that are on the cusp of making the pro bowl in Winslow, Sean Jones, Wimbley, and Davis. And a pro bowl alternate from last year in Steinbach. The defense played well enough last year for the team to win more games but the offense couldn't get first downs to keep them off the field. They're talent is improving. If they remain relatively healthy, they will win 7 games next year.
Will you guys still scream for Romeo's head?


Davidjason84 says...
Quinn did not win big at ND because of a bad O line and worse defense. He has better physical skills than Matt Leinart and Tom Brady. Yes, Tom was a sixth round pick. He has big heart and was coached up by who? Charlie Weis. The Quinn bashers need to stop. If he had went to OSU, he would be the next coming of Elway. Shut up!!!!!! We got our tackle. A good corner. To much value is being given to this phantom draft pick next year. The 08 class is pretty thin from what I hear. Two other teams gave up their first next year. We would be looking QB next year anyway. Quinn is way better than any of next years QB's. The same people bitching about Brady are the ones who would not shut up about how bad Charlie Frye was. During last season they were talking up Troy Smith. Smith over Quinn!!!!!!! Learn football. Quinn might not be Joe Montana, he will be a Drastic upgrade over Charlie Frye. He was worth the pick. At least the Browns did not sit on their ass in the war room again.


krivka says...
BuckeyeJon14....You are one giant puff of air.If Quinn is just an average QB, the Brown come out ahead. (Since I take it that the 14 at the end of your name is either you age or your IQ you wouldn't know anything about one of the Brown's best QB's; Frank Ryan)As for you living in Chicago, when was the last time the Bears were really special? There is no doubt the Brown's org has been less than competent in fielding teams, and most of us laugh at them too. It has been a pathetic return to the NFL, but getting down on Quinn, using the same talking points used by some talking heads on the boob tube has me wondering if you are not working for the Bush family in some way.Quinn is better than anybody we have on the roster and better than anybody the Bears have, or even the Steelers. Big Ben is pretty good, but what made him look better than he is was the talent backing him up.I would take an average QB in every case over a Michael Vick type. JaMarcus might be the real deal , but even taking him was a chancy proposition for Oakland. If I had a good FB and a above average TE, a good O line and a few decent receivers (hey, that's what the Brown's have!!), a guy like Quinn could soon make you look more like a dope than you seem to be.ESAD

I say: This is great. Intelligent life in Cleveland!

As I've mentioned before, there is some concern about Quinn making a few bad throws per game. I'd be more willing to dismiss this if my sources didn't include Mike Mayok, a former cornerback who's become perhaps THE premier draft expert, Solomon Willcotts, a former safety, and Jim Miller, a former NFL QB. All these guys know when a reciever blows a route or a ball is deflected.

But there are those gaudy numbers, and the rapid improvement in them. With the kind of accuracy those numbers indicate, the bad throws are correctable.

As for the "big game" stuff, I'm pretty sick of everybody laying every victory or defeat on the QB, as if he plays in a vaccuum. It's the same irrational non-logic as the presumption that a Head Coach whose team is just about destroyed by injuries being the cause of a losing record.

The one guy is right about Quinn not needing to be Montana--except that, by the way, Montana always had great talent supporting him. Quinn was the bird in hand, and if Savage didn't nab him now, we'd very possibly be trying to trade up for a new rookie QB, needing a year on the bench, in 2008 anyway.

And this crap about Wright vs. Pac-man is preposterous. According to his teammates, coaches (inc. at USC), professors, counselors, and everybody else that anybody could dig up. Talk about mountains out of mole-hills!

Well, glad to see some rational, knowlegable people up there. Okbye.

Mr

Wake Up, Oblivia! You Got Poor Depth Perception!

Several players already on this roster are being underrated by Memorex Morons and the Crennel lynch-mob. MM's typicly accept a player's rookie, or last, season as definitive. Regardless of how young, undersized, inexperienced, or unhealthy that player was, MM's ASSume zero growth or improvement.

In reality, while in some cases players regress, it's a reasonable assumption that such players will improve. And the Cleveland roster is loaded with these.

The minor ones first--are on the offensive line: Fred Matua, Isaac Sowells, and Kelly Butler. Inexplicably, Matua and Sowells are dismissed out of hand by local beat writers and columnists. Why? They can't tell you, because they're making ASSumptions. And what did Butler do? Let a cornerback get by him? Not dominate every single play? Butler does have more experience, and is farther along his growth curve, but is still improving.

Sowells was a left tackle, being converted to guard. One local guy said "they thought they were outsmarting everybody by drafting him to make him a guard". Where the hell does this conciet and arrogance come from? "Thought"? Here, this dipstick ASSumes that Savage was wrong. He, this alleged comumnist, knows better. All the NFL scouts, GM's, etc. who read that crap laugh at these guys. Savage is highly respected by all of them.

Matua was an "undersized" 7th-round pick...therefore he must suck, forever, and have zero potential, right? Well, it just aint so. Matua needed some polishing, but has all the makings of a fine guard-especially as a run-blocker, depsite his SOLID 305 lbs.

Leon Williams made himself impossible to ignore. As I mentioned before, he's not merely a back-up, or role-player. This season, you'll likely see him on the field as often as either Andra Davis or D'Qwell Jackson. And he and Jackson were both just rookies last season. How much better will they become?

Makes it tough for Chaun Thompson. Thompson has grown and improved into an excellent all-purpose linebacker. The Browns acquired a couple of "coverage" linebackers through free agency this off season, but the fact is that Thompson is probably the Browns best true linebacker who can cover, because he's the total package. But that role in some defenses will be filled by Justin Hamilton.

Remember him? He's a BIG safety they drafted last season, who got in a few plays despite his rookie-hood. How good will he get? How many more safeties do you think we need, because you ASSume Hamilton can't play?

Davin Holly. He got strafed badly at first, but improved game-by-game and nabbed five interceptions. A zone corner does that by baiting the QB and reading and anticipating routes correctly. Holly is a sharp guy...obviously. He should only be better this season, after several months off to review and learn from that experience.

DeMario Minter was a very good zone/man cornerback in college with one problem: Stone hands. He broke up a lot of passes, but didn't pick the ball off. That's the only reason why Savage was able to get him that low, that cheap. He was on IR for most of last season, but this season will compete with Holly and Wright for the second, third, and fourth cornerback slots.

Hanford Dixon couldn't pick passes off either, but I don't hear many complaints about it. And maybe the reciever's coach can improve his hands. Jereme Perry didn't make much of a splash last season, but did show that game-by-game improvement, and might be a quality depth guy.

Simon Fraser got 4.5 sacks as a part-time rookie 3-4 DE. Got several TFL's, too. His problem was that while he can read, penetrate, and disrupt, he had a tough time taking on bockers, when that was his first responsibility. He was 288 lbs. What are you going to say when he returns at 305 lbs. or so? Will he still be a "role-player" to you right up until you see him starting?

That's the problem with living in Oblivia. You lose your ability to THINK.

Orien Harris might be another Fraser, too. Maybe. Maybe not. We'll see.

Shaun Smith was a role-player with Cinci. Know what he did? He stopped the run. He's short and wide and tough to move. He can overpower a center. That makes him a nose tackle. 4-3 role-player, 3-4 starting nose tackle. Get it? -snap-snap- try to stay with me here, ok?

How many is that for the defense? Let's see, Fraser was a rookie, Jackson, Wimbley, Williams, Hamilton, Holly, Perry...are you picking up on this? All these guys were rookies, who this season will be veterans, and will be B E T T E R. Is any of this sinking in?

I left out Antwan Peek, who is an experienced veteran. The thing about Peek is the combination of injury, and a change of scheme. Peek was drafted as one of those DE/LB 'tweeners specificly to play 3-4 OLB. As a rookie in that system, he got 6.5 sacks. Now, you must keep in mind that Wimbley developed way ahead of schedule, and making his 11 sacks the yardstick isn't accurate.

At any rate, after that season Houston went to a 4-3 and Peek was relegated to playing a role, plus got hurt. This will be his first opportunity since his rookie season to play the postition for which he was drafted.

Some see him as a role-player. They shouldn't be allowed to write anything. He was a starter, and will compete to start here, opposite Wimbley. He'll also be Wimbley's primary backup. And since he is being so underrated by MM's and Savage-bashers, we need to include him in this list of players.

Robaire Smith, not underrated? 100 tackles per season, and he "helps a little"? Yeah. He's underrated, too.

That's a lot of players, isn't it? And let me tell you: Fraser may not start, but will play a great deal, as will Shaun Smith. Jackson and Wimbley are starters, and Williams will be heavy in the rotation. Peek is new. Wright, Holly, Minter, and Hamilton will all be frequent contributors, with one starting corner, one nickel back, two starting linebackers in this group, and it all spells MUCH improvement in this third year of Grantham's system.

...to which you are oblivious.

Offensively, Braylon Edwards, who will be fully healed this season, and able to get deeper. And maybe even able not to DROP about 20% of the passes thrown to him...dammit.

Travis Wilson: The fact that he rarely played as a rookie, or was drafted low, don't mean that much. He is an ideal fit for this offense. He gets separation and doesn't drop passes...Braylon. He's a big target. He's labelled a "possession" reciever, and can certainly do that, but can also make big plays, given one step on a pursuer.

Vickers: "Can he block?". Oh, puh-leeez! Look: They have to go through you to reach the back, ok? Ok so you go through the hole and you hit whoever gets in your way as hard as you can, see? Gimme a break!

Harrison: I saved this guy for last. I addressed him in the last blog, but after that, went back and reviewed some things on him. He averaged over 100 yards per game. Set a record for 100 yard games as a workhorse. Didn't start until late in his junior season, and finished tenth for the Heisman as a senior. Had he weighed ten more pounds, he would have been a first round pick.

Well, he now weighs twenty more pounds. If this guy stays healthy, he will take over for Lewis sooner or later, and for years to come. You remember Lee Suggs. Well, this guy is Suggs, with the ability to run patterns and catch like a wide reciever. If Suggs hadn't been fragile physicly, he'd have been the bellcow here. So can Harrison.

These three players will all be significantly improved from last season, and will make the overall offense more productive. But it's the defense that will really explode. Wait and see. If the offense can score just 20 points, the Browns will have a great chance to win.

You stand corrected.

Rodney Harrisonfield

Jerome Harrison played last season at 192 lbs. As I predicted, because it was obvious and typical (apparantly you need to be Sherlock Holmes to expect the obvious and typical), he has returned pumped-up.

But even I was surprised by how big he now is: 212 lbs.!!!

"It remains to be seen, whether or not he can block".

CORRECTION : While that statement is true, it's still pretty dumb. Any running back with adequate size (weight) can learn to pass-protect. Harrison is now, suddenly, at about the average weight for an NFL running back, and his ability to pass-protect is not quite a "given", but is close to it.

In max-protect, pre-snap the back must read the defense and try to anticipate any blitzes. He is responsible for those. Post-snap, he allows the QB to get behind him (unless a cornerback or somebody else is coming from the side, which he must go after). He's now the bodyguard. If no one has penetrated, after a moment he'll flare outside as an outlet reciever.

A short back will cut a large person. He'll go right for the guy's legs. They're paranoid about their legs, of course, and will slow down and try to get their hands on his pads and shove him down on his face. That's a lot harder with a quick, explosive guy like Harrison, who can time his dive to make this tough to do.

Jamal Wright was pretty cool. He'd often succeed, and knock the guy cartwheeling foreward over his back--and then go right where he came from as a reciever.

However, a short back can still meet any cornerback, safety, and many coverage linebackers head-on. 192 lb. back can't. A 212 lb. back can DO YOU UNDERSTAND?

When Tiki Barber came out of college, he was a "third-down" back. But since that time, he's built himself up. Tiki Barber, for his last two or three seasons, led the NFL in YAC yardage. Yards After Contact. Still relatively small, he broke a lot of tackles.

It DOES remain to be seen of Harrison's increased size will translate into a lot of broken tackles, but cretainly to some extent he'll be harder to take down.

What bothers me here is that the Cleveland media must have been aware of Harrison's increased size, and yet a number of them still caterwall over a "lack of depth" at running back behind Lewis, and others, when asked about Harrison, label him a "change-of-pace" back only.

CORRECTION: Last season, as a raw rookie, Harrison ran inside and outside very effectively, at 192 lbs. The only thing he didn't do well was block. Clearly, Savage and the coaches know something that the sports media doesn't. Not because they're keeping secrets, or because it isn't glaringly obvious, however.

Now, because you read this, you know that the Browns have a potential every-down back like Barber, Holmes, Sanders, Smith etc. waiting in the wings behind Jamal Lewis.

They're committed to giving Lewis his shot to get the number of carries he insists he needs to wear down defenses (that's a translation--it's what he means). They'll often field a lead-blocking fullback when they don't use two tight ends. That's fine, if Lewis is in good shape and still able. But Harrison will get in there, especially on third and longs. And watch out.

Edwards working with the third team is just about meaningless, except for the fact that he got a bunch of reps with Quinn. He should be a difference-maker this season. Last season, he made a lot of catches, but not many big plays. Well, he was not fully recovered from his ACL surgery, and now he is. He's the guy that can keep a safety back off the line (and away from Lewis).

They might occasionally use Tim Carter opposite him for a real deep-threat combo, but Carter, who is always injured, should back Edwards up, so the deep threat can be maintained.

Wilson's game speed is somewhat underrated, too. He's certainly no deep threat, but can make some big plays. Just sayin'.

Well, now you know.