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.
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.
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