Good and Bad Stuff

I've reviewed all the camp-logs and blogs I could get my orbs on, through the appropriate history-of-source, bias, and cross-check filters, and am now prepared to provide my...anybody who reads this an intelligence estimate on the Browns.

1: Chud's system and methods: Chud is simulating game-situations in camp. In his system, there is a lot of movement and shifting. Rather than call a play and just go with it--or check off to another out of the same formation, this offense will adapt to the defense in order to cofuse it and create mismatches. This would mean moving Winslow outside, or across the field, in order to spread the defense out, or aim him at a guy who can't run with him. Or a reciever in motion, to flood one side. Or sending a Harrison or somebody to the slot, rather than in the backfield, where a weakness appears there.

Only one guy can move at a time, and sometimes there are multiple shifts--creating a whole new (and ideally unexpected) offensive alignment (and tendancy). This takes time, so the play must get called and the huddle broken quickly.

Another reason for this is that it wears a defense down, both by making them jump around in answer, and by depriving them of recovery time from the previous play.

As you recall, last season there were delay-of-games, unneccessary time-outs, illegal motions, etc. Chud is using a stopwatch, and relaying the plays to the QB through his helmet mike, so that when they're doing it for real, it will be second nature.

I like it.

Braylon Edwards: I have dug up only one drop. He is making circus catches and fighting for the ball--catching everything thrown to him. He's also now fully recovered from his injury/surgery, and as explosive as he was coming out of college. This guy, so far, is rising to expectations, and looks like a lethal weapon.

K2: What we've come to expect. And they seem to be sending him deep more. Another lethal weapon.

Jurevicious: Haven't heard much about him, but I guess that means he's catching some passes.

Travis Wilson: He's coming on, just a little, of late, but is still really inconsistant, and drops way too many catchable balls. He never did in college, so I can't imagine where it's coming from. Maybe they shouls send him to a hypnotist.

Tim Carter: Mr. unreliable and injured from the Giants has actually been making a number of good snags himself without dropping them! You've got to be guarded with this guy, however, as I believe the NY fans have been through really good training camps and then disappointment in games before. He is, verily, right now between the second and third reciever. Let's hope he keeps up the good work. If he does, he's a gamebreaker.

Cribbs: Haven't heard much about him. Except that he's dropped a couple. I wish him luck.

Maurice Mann and Home-boy Steve Sanders are making an impression, making some nice catches. Both were undrafted free agents. Sanders spent this offseason kicking butt in NFL Europe. He's 6'3" and has an edge on the other guys. He's a possession guy who won't stretch any defenses, but is reliable

I can't cover everybody--I think these are all the guys with the best chances to make the roster. It's possible that the Browns will only keep five, as they might keep four TE's and/or 2 FB's.

Charles Ali is a great lead-blocker! It's not true that he's one-dimensional, as many have said. He caught nine balls in nine games for 154 yards in college. Don't go comparing this guy to tight ends and scat-backs--taint fair. We don't know about Arkansas-Pine Bluff's scheme (or QB), and he may well be an effective reciever out of the backfield. As a blocker, he blows people up, and may be too good at that to cut. Just don't expect him to CARRY the ball.

Anderson: Inconsistant. And the recievers seem to drop more of his passes. Maybe he lacks Charlie's touch--I don't know.

Frye: Inconsistant, with an asterisk. Both QB's are victimized by some pretty impressive coverage guys, and overall I believe at this moment in time that Frye is doing better. Sometimes he even looks downright GOOD!

Andra Davis has lost some weight. Haven't heard much on him, but everybody knows he's a damn good player--who might be a little quicker this season.

Nat Dorsey: Doing pretty good. Solid.

Hank Fraley: Doing REAL good. He seems even quicker than he was last season, and has depositted Shaun Smith on his butt at least once, too! This guy is a PLAYA! They have him listed at 315!

Justin Hamilton: Ma man's getting kilt out there. It's still early for him, though, and he was trying to cover the wide recievers. The guy had one year's experience at safety coming out of college. Now weighing in at 222, on some teams he could be a strong safety who matches up against backs and tight ends. On this team, he appears on his way to nickel linebacker.

Andrew Hoffman: Looks like hell.

CB Brandon McDonald: He is looking pretty damn good for a rookie!

WR Kendrick Mosely: Forgot him. He's made some catches--he's in the mix as a depth guy. Has the stature.

Jereme Perry: Has made a couple mistakes, but overall is doing really good, complete with interceptions and stuff.

Davin Holly: Better than Perry.

Brodney Pool: One dink obviously confused him with Hamilton and bashed him. He's been doing an awesome job, batting passes away and picking them off all over the place. Outstanding size/speed combo. Great draft pick!

Shaffer: Loooking really good at left tackle, and good at right as well. His transition to the other side is quite smooth.

Shaun Smith: Looks pretty good. In Roye's absence they've worked him some at DE, but forget that except in obvious-run or other situational defenses. One reporter talked about his athleticism--nuh-uh. He has average-at-best speed for a DT. I know I could be wrong-the coaches know best. We'll see.

Isaac Sowells: EEwww!

Ted Washington: Looks real good, provided he's not required to MOVE. Seriously, he can still clog things up.

Leon Williams: All over the place! Outstanding, except that he's been torched in coverage a few times and needs to work on that.

Eric Wright: Will start opposite Bodden and be awesome. A natural.

Jason Wright: Big suprise here! I'm guessing that he's a much better zone than man-corner. He's smart, reads things fast, and is usually in position. We appear to have more cornerbacks, now, than we can keep.

Jason Wright: Doing really well. Always this guy was underrated, and now he's being used more in the passing game--and doing really well.

Jerome Harrison: Haven't heard much about him, except for one guy commenting about Ali decking him. Big deal!

Thompson: Wimbley has toasted him with that shoulder-dip at least twice, but he's generally doing a good job and looking like an old vet.

Wimbley: Appears to be the fastest linebacker, and now to read/react a lot quicker, in coverage and in run-stopping. He's turning into a complete linebacker who could actually play OLB for a lot of 4-3 teams. He uses leverage extremely well, and is quite strong for his size.

That's all I got so far. But here's a few things to build into your media filter:

The talent and continuity on this defense is superior in the secondary and linebackers. Recievers are making mistakes on routes, and QB's are probably also making mistakes which they won't later on. When you hear about interceptions, read between the lines a little. Often, the speaker or writer is clueless as to the cause, and it's just a mindless reflex to lay in on the QB.