The sum of the offseason is the draft and free agency. The Browns needs, in order, were (in reality) DL, OLB (in view of Peek's health), CB DEPTH, more WR's (since Wilson isn't acting like one), a young TE to augment and eventually replace the human MASH unit and Gramps Heiden, and--more a want than a need--ILB. (Remember I said in reality).
Savage got two stud defensive linemen who are still relatively young and healthy; indeed who have UPSIDE, right out of the gate. Then he added Daunte Stallworth, who is a very capable (and dangerous) #2 when healthy.
In this draft, he nailed down an underrated linebacker. Beau Bell's clock times have little to do with his playing speed. He is most likely here to play inside, because he's nice and short and can get off blocks. He can stop a much bigger man in his tracks and then run around or away from him. His instincts are great.
For all this, he's been picked on for being top-heavy and "stiff" in coverage. He just gets lucky with all the interceptions and deflections! What the hell, pump his ass and legs up--blow him up to 255 see if I care!
Phil said "depth". Yeah ok. He'll work into the rotation quickly. None of the other guys can be the force player on the strong side; who can take on a pulling guard.
And this guy is a body-rocker. He SLAMS people. Diagonosing quickly, he attacks at full speed and meets things in the backfield. He doesn't WANT to play outside, he likes it "in there". AndrA Davis has seen his best days, Jackson is fine on the weak side, and Williams has to play.
I believe that Williams will now be worked outside, and become something like a utility guy. Ashante Orr was indeed a college DE, but has played all linebacker positions. As an outside passrusher, he's just "ok", and it's quite possible that he'll be another utility guy. Orr is basicly a journeyman...but if he makes Davis look bad, well...
Williams is now the fastest of the linebackers, has learned at light-speed, and performed admirably. Even coming out of college, people weren't certain where he should play. He fell inside here due to the personnel we had. Now, the inside is pretty stacked, and the need remains for a passrushing outside backer to offset Wimbley, and he might be it.
A conventional 3-4 would place Williams on the weak side and Wimbley strong, but of course they all move people all over the place. Let's see what happens--if Peek gets healthy and Williams proves he has 8-plus sack potential. This is a ripple effect thing: Williams is a complete linebacker who can intercept the run as well as any, so--if his speed can translate into QB pressures as well, you have a much-upgraded overall defense.
Rubin is not here for the practice squad. He was cocked in the center in college, and that's what nose tackles do. He's quick and has some range, in addition to being stronger than dirt. While he isn't polished and has much to learn, he can be worked into the rotation from day one. To be sure, the top four are established. Three young players (two drafted DE's and a bigger FA DL) are already here, and will have something to say about this.
Four players will now be competing for two positions BEHIND three starters and a swing-man, and they all have much upside. It can't get better than this. The 3-4 will now work as it was designed to work against the run. The line won't wear down, will command double-teams, and will make some tackles and QB pressures of it's own. The linebackers will slice in and make plays.
Alex Hall will probably go on the practice squad and get his shot in '09 as Phil said. He's not really such a gamble, as he has the speed, frame, and stats to become a dominating outside passrushing linebacker. He will go into the nursery where he will learn dirty tricks and get pumped up. He will re-appear next season at at least 250 lbs., and much stronger.
It is PROBABLE that Phil Frankestein will have created a monster. This is not David McMillan, who was a good passrushing DE but seems not to be a very good linebacker (so far). Hall is more athletic, and was astronomicly more productive. All those sacks and 52 tackles-for-losses from a DE position told Phil a lot about this guy, Division II or not.
CB was not addressed, but I repeat that Davin Holly IS an experienced veteran, as if a veteran rather than a young, talented player is critical at all. More second and third and shorts plus an upgraded pass-rush will make this secondary look a lot better. Aside from Brandon McDonald, Holly, and Wright, we have a reserve safety who can play nickel and gets interceptions. We DO need more depth, and could use another Wright--don't get me wrong---but you can't always fix everything all at once, even if you're Phil Savage.
Quit bitching.
Now, this Rucker--202 receptions, over 10 yards per, are you kidding me?!? This guy will contribute out of the gate! He's not as fast as Wnslow WAS, but could well grow into what Wnslow is.
No, he never blocked anybody in-line and was sort of a glorified wide reciever. But I like how he talks: "I can block. I'll prove it."
Not that important for now. In this offense, Heiden is the in-line blocker. The wing TE (Winslow) is a decoy and blocks in space, same as what this kid did in college. Chud right now is concocting a bunch of insideously diabolical groupings to put him and Winslow on the field at the same time (with Edwards--at least--and then Harrison or Stallworth).
That IS a nightmare to defend. Do they go to a nickel with a six-man front? We know who covers Stallworth, but now can they rotate coverage to Edwards--and what of they do? Winslow and Rucker are both too tall for safeties and too quick for linebackers--and how can you stack up against Lewis with TWO of those guys slanting in behind you, huh?
DA (and BQ) are already drooling.
Hubbard IS a bit of a gamble. We've seen what Wilson has turned into, and Hubbard already has a rep for making stupid drops. He runs sloppy patterns too.
But he went to college on a track scholarship, and only came to football later. He was also injured as a senior, and missed five games worth of stats. He has--in streaks--been reliable as hell, and made circus catches. Explosive as hell--a long-jump champ and stuff, who routinely clocks in the little 4.4's. How could Phil refuse that dice-roll?
This guy can probably contribute on special teams immediately. He's a willing blocker (a big plus here) and you can't teach size or speed.
This is a factor: Wilson enters his third season, and Phil said he wouldn't draft anybody who wasn't better than what he had. This guy is here to knock Wilson off the roster, and Wilson has to know it.
What is it, with drops? Well, with these guys who have SOMETIMES made outstanding catches, it's always mental, which is very correctable.
But the issue with Wilson is deeper: Like Harrison (apparantly), he practices poorly. Not just drops, but running sloppy and incorrect patterns. I wouldn't judge this guy like Wilson. All he has to do is come in with the right attitude and work hard. If he does, we have a winner.
The draft gurus think he can be a number three and work up to number two. Maybe they're right, but that's an ignorant statement. He's big, very fast, and explosive. He has it ALL--so why is the sky not the limit?
So, Phil has addressed everything except cornerback.
Not bad.
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