Chat Corrections

The following is an Adam Caplan chat transcript. He had a bad week.

Did the front office know that McGinest was calling it quits after this year?Adam Caplan: BR: Everyone one knew about it, not a surprise, was totally expected
Adam, Ahtyba Rubin, can he be the sixth defensive lineman this year?
Adam Caplan: RAM: He will be expected to be in the mix for a spot on the active roster
Is this one of the reasons the front office was trying so hard to get an OLB?
...huh?
Adam Caplan: BR: One doesn't have to do with the otherAdam Caplan: since McGinest is playing this season
Adam, is Shaun Rogers going to start at nose tackle or end, how will the starting d line look??Adam Caplan: CD: As for Rogers, RAC said he will play bothAdam Caplan: the decision where he will start out each game will probably have something to do with gameplan, how he looks in practice, and opponentAdam Caplan: each week
Adam, do you see the opening defensive front three as Williams, Smith and Rogers?Adam Caplan: RAM: I would say that's a pretty good betAdam Caplan: and a pretty good look for the front three
Could be! If they had S SMITH at DE, then Rogers can probably do it. He has better height, and is faster. Meanwhile, S Smith's best position is nose tackle. Even if Rogers is better than Smith at NT, this is how to make the most of your talent.
Adam might also mean Robaire Smith. That would work too--with Rogers at the nose and S Smith a rotational player. Bottom line is 4 good linemen rotating in 3 slots.
Adam, as of now who would you keep on the roster, Wilson or Hubbard
Adam Caplan: DA: Way too early to say either wayAdam Caplan: team has no ideaAdam Caplan: and won't for some timeAdam Caplan: but I will say this, they might keep Hubbard on the active roster just so they don't lose him through waiversAdam Caplan: so that means Wilson could be out of a job either way
5 active WR's: Edwards, Jurevicious, Stallworth...
Adam, what is going to be a position the Browns will be looking to draft in 2009, they seem pretty set everywhere besides secondary and outside linebacker
Adam Caplan: CD: Time will tell through the season but obviously they have to address CBAdam Caplan: that's one need that is worse than it was at the start of free agency
CORRECTION: They have three, plus a safety who can be a situational corner. They recruited young talent who can play situationally and could quickly grow into a zone scheme. Adam continues to greatly exhaggerate the need for one depth-player who is ready to cover for injuries.
Any of the UDFA's impress you?
Adam Caplan: AM: I'm never impressed with anyone in the post-draft campAdam Caplan: what you're looking for is the players to understand what they are being asked to do so farAdam Caplan: how fluid they lookAdam Caplan: Don't be fooled by anything you read about the rookies nowAdam Caplan: what I want to see is how they do when the pads go on
Adam, is Austin Scott someone that could develop into something??
What's with the extra question marks?
Adam Caplan: CD: If he's not cut before training camp he could push HarrisonAdam Caplan: understand UDFAs are literally in a week to week situation
why hasn't holly signed his contract?
Adam Caplan: TJM: The Browns now hold his rightsAdam Caplan: he will sign it before mandatory work
Adam, do you think Peek will perform as well as you thought he would last year now that he is healthy?
Adam Caplan: PAGE: The team apparently saw what I saw on tape before last season so if healthy, he should be a solid rotational player
CORRECTION: Peek was a rotational passrusher in a 4-3. He is a starting OLB in a 3-4 DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
Lets say DA has another fine year and BQ gets little playing time. What kind of draft pick would he bring in trade?
How retarded! They'd trade DA for like a jillion draft picks.
Adam Caplan: AM: conditional 3-4th rounderAdam Caplan: based on PT time that he got with the new teamAdam
Dumb and dumber! Under contract, first round pick, probably better than anyone in this year's draft, 2 years in the NFL? Get a clue!!!
Caplan: but I can tell you the team doesn't want to trade QuinnAdam Caplan: They see Quinn as a decently paid backup QBAdam
HE WAS NOT DRAFTED TO RIDE THE BENCH. HE IS PAID TOO MUCH TO BACK UP. HE MAY EVEN NOW BE BETTER THAN ANDERSON WITH THIS MOST EXCELLENT SUPPORTING CAST.
Caplan: why sign someone else who hasn't been there
But won't BQ's agent demand a trade if things are status quo after this year?
Adam Caplan: AM: That's what I said last year and that could happen, problem is the Browns hold all the leverage
Adam, how do you see the ILB position playing out. I see Davis and Jackson starting, but I can see a nice rotation of our LB's as well
Adam Caplan: DA: Training camp will settle that, it's not a lock that Davis starts, in fact, I think Williams will win that
Correct, except that Williams may well be tried at OLB. Furthermore, the massively-underrated Beau Bell and the other vet FA who can play inside could make this move easy. Bell starts by mid-season. Stand by.
Adam, can Ahtyba Rubin play defensive end and play at the same level as he could at nose or is he strictly a nose tackle??
Adam Caplan: CD: They haven't said if he can or can't play DE yetAdam Caplan: I believe he has the movement skills to do soAdam Caplan: though
I didn't know that! COOL!
Adam, any shot Beau Bell could crack the starting lineup week 1??
Adam Caplan: CD: Yes because they aren't happy with the other three totallyAdam Caplan: wouldn't be surprise at all if he won a stating job
Yeah and stop with all the question marks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
is Shaun Smith anything more than an average NT?
Adam Caplan: TJ: Check he amount of snaps he had to play at DEAdam Caplan: then you'll see why he got worn down last seasonAdam Caplan: it got to be a jokeAdam Caplan: this season will be differentAdam Caplan: they will have a great rotation
If more teams played the 34 Defense what round would Rubin have been taken?Adam Caplan: PGE: No way to knowAdam Caplan: I can tell you though he had a 5th-6th round grade from most teams
Adam, how much do they like D'Qwell Jackson because next years ILB crop with Maualuga and Laurinaitus looks strong and Ray Lewis may hit the open market in free agency??
You want Gramps Lewis???? Think you can get the cap raised by then???? Sign him til he's 50, right????
Adam Caplan: CD: They want to see Jackson step up his playAdam Caplan: then make a decision after 2008Adam Caplan: on the ILBsAdam Caplan: that position, if they all play well plus Bell won't be a priority
If I can chime in, Smith was bad at DE last year. But at NT, our defense was changed, we played much better with him in there. Problem is, Roye was hurt and Smith had to play DE, not to mention many 3 and outs on occasion fatigued our defense, and Smith was one of the few that could actually play DE also.
THERE IS INTELLIGENT LIFE IN CLEVELAND!
Adam Caplan: DA: You should have seen practice, they had a hard time getting three healthy DLs some weeksAdam Caplan: RAC said he will play DE and NTAdam Caplan: which kind of surprised me
Me too. But he probably meant situationally.
DQ seems small for the kind of LB's Romeo likes to use (ala New England) - agree?Adam Caplan: AM: NE's ILBs are smallAdam Caplan: 240 lbs rangeAdam Caplan: Bruschi smallerAdam Caplan: in fact
Correct. Speed is a priority for ILB's in a properly-manned 3-4. The whole foundation of the scheme is to occupy 5 blockers with 3 linemen so the backers can run around and stop people. DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
Adam, any idea how Melila Purcell has developed? has he gained much weight to play in our defense?
Adam Caplan: LIL: I expect him to beat out Pittman, he has more upside
Adam, any shot they look to add a safety next year if Sean Jones and Brodney Pool don't step up their game
Adam Caplan: CD: sureAdam Caplan: they also need depth there
Adam, who does Alexander go to and does he have any left in the tank?Adam Caplan: BR: He can't playAdam Caplan: Seattle said so by releasing himAdam Caplan: when a player is released just a few years into an extension they are telling you what they think of himAdam Caplan: and he's not the kind of RB that can come off the bench
Adam, what is going on with Antonio Pittman now a days, is he still with the Rams??
Why are you wasting everybody's time???? Who cares???? Let somebody else ask questions????
Adam Caplan: CD: YesAdam Caplan: Pittman is still with STL
Honestly, Adam, I only see Smith at DE if somebody is injured. I mean, he may take a drive or so a game, but that's it.
Adam Caplan: DA: They will see who does well in each and plan accordinglyAdam Caplan: they need one more DE to set the rotationAdam Caplan: it could be Purcell
Adam, June 1st cuts?
Adam Caplan: BR: Most overrated and non issue dateAdam Caplan: new CBA gives teams more flexibilityAdam Caplan: so you rarely see any big namesAdam Caplan: go post 6/1Adam Caplan: most moves were done prior to the draft
Adam, do you know Purcell's weight as of now? Does he look bigger and stronger? If so, he'll make this team, IMO.
Adam Caplan: DA: 270 range, maybe a little more
Bummer
Adam, are their many teams heavy in CB talent, so that they will have some late preseason trades?
Adam Caplan: RAM: We could see the Eagles do something
I think Rubin could contribute at DE. he's best suited at NT, but he's strong enough to rush as a DE, IMO.
IMO? IMO? You guys are a PIA. LOL.
Adam Caplan: DA: Understand DEs usually in 3-4 are run defendersAdam Caplan: Williams will be the exception
If the Browns offense continues to excel this year - will Chud get Head Coaching opportunities?
Adam Caplan: AM: Yes, he has a lot of interest out there
...dammit.
Adam, we need to sign some players long term. How does a potential lock out affect that?
Adam Caplan: BR: It's really a cap issue now
What happens with signing bonuses after 2009?
Adam Caplan: BR: Nothing ,they are paidAdam Caplan: without a cap though free agents aren't UFAs until 6 years
Was that in reference to my Rubin comment? Because he's a run stopper, which is another reason I feel he could play
Adam Caplan: DA: Yes, he really wouldn't be expected to rush the passer
They start out 2-gapping, but in attack-mode. They try to drive the guard back off-balance, and once they read pass, to shed and penetrate to the QB.
When you say Williams will be the exception, what do you mean?
Adam Caplan: RAM: usually DEs in 3-4 scheme aren't pass rushersAdam Caplan: Williams will be the exception because he will be asked to get to the passer
Sometimes. He'll split the guard-tackle gap rather than engaging the guard, or might cross the guard's face and go over center--or something else. Sometimes. But he's also great at shedding off a 2-gap.
Adam, on paper does our defense move up to the mid range?
Adam Caplan: BR: Only issue is the back 4 nowAdam Caplan: front seven should be decent
Do you see Hubbard making the active roster?
Adam Caplan: TOP: I addressed that earlier, they could choose to keep him on active rosterAdam Caplan: so he wouldn't get signed off of waiversAdam Caplan: which means Wilson is out
Not unless another WR is better, THIS season.
<64superfan> So, what's the story with the back four? We've got to add corners. I still would like to know which UDFAs show the most promise.
Adam Caplan: 64: Ask me in AugustAdam Caplan: there's no contactAdam Caplan: nowAdam Caplan: no way to have any ideaAdam Caplan: But what you want to see out of them is how well they move and understandAdam Caplan: what they are being asked to do
Adam, whats going on with Ty Law, any shot we take a chance??
YOU again???? Gramps Law, too???? How bout Hanford Dixon????
Adam Caplan: CD: He wants a little more cashAdam Caplan: CLE doesn't have anything left to give himAdam Caplan: other than one-year minimum
<64superfan> Adam, Pittman was working with the rookies last weekend. What seems to be the plan for him?
Adam Caplan: 64: They'd like him to win a job on the active rosterAdam Caplan: I'm interested to see if he can beat out PurcellAdam Caplan: The one UDFA who has a chance to make the team is Austin ScottAdam Caplan: AJ Davis was an interesting prospectAdam Caplan: I want to see how he does once the pads go onAdam Caplan: he could actually contribute
Does Kevin Kasper really have a shot at making the team?
Adam Caplan: TOP: UnlikelyAdam Caplan: I'd be surprised
Are the Browns getting capped out - will they be able to sign any significant free agent next year?
Adam Caplan: AM: They will be ok next year
Adam, you mention Austin Scott, I'm assuming Harrison would be the odd man out in this situation, as Wright hasshown to be an effective #2. Problem is, Harrison has potential to step up as a #2. What are your thoughts? And sorry every question of mine is about 2 paragraphs long. haha
Adam Caplan: DA: For sure, Harrison would have to be outAdam Caplan: they really want to push himAdam Caplan: Scott has the talentAdam Caplan: at this point, Harrison and Wilson are less than 50-50 to make itAdam Caplan: based on the past two seasons of non-contributionsAdam Caplan: especially Wilson who has been a big zeroAdam Caplan: that's why they offered him to the Vikings
Harrison averages over 5 YPC and has learned to block. His issue is attitudinal--Romeo will not play people who don't work hard in practice.
Do you see the Browns keeping Shaffer at RT beyond 08?
Adam Caplan: TOP: Yep, that's his best position and he knows itAdam Caplan: on tape it shows tooAdam Caplan: he wasn't a natural LT
Adam, would you say Harrison has a better chance than Wilson to make the roster??
STOP IT YOU'RE KILLING US????
Adam Caplan: CD: Yes
DOYEEEEEE????
Were the Browns really shopping Braylon Edwards during last year's draft?Adam Caplan: AM: They wanted to see what he would yield and no one gave anything significant
Adam, What is with David McMillan, LB, ST player. Can he make it?
Adam Caplan: RAM: Peek and Orr will be expected to be ahead of him
Orr? Orr will be a utility guy--he's a versdatile 3-4 journeyman. And Williams may well be in that mix.
Adam, in the media is seems like Edwards has really matured. Is there the same perception in the lockerroom?
Adam Caplan: BR: Yes and yes. In fact, was talking to a pro personnel director from an NFC team today about thatAdam Caplan: Just about how Edwards could be even better this season
WILL be. He was not fully recovered from his surgery. He will be faster, and cut better.
Adam, will Rucker take Heiden's spot on goal line passing? I've always seen Heiden as a strong reliable target in theshort field
Adam Caplan: DA: Depends on down, distance, and situationAdam Caplan: and play callAdam Caplan: Rucker will give them a chance formationally to do different thingsAdam Caplan: against each opponent
Rucker is more a Winslow-type than a Heiden type. Regardless of how well Rucker actually blocks in-line, Heiden will remain the main blocker, to usually be used in these situations--which could be passes or runs.The defense can't key on a pass with Heiden there--they might be able to with Rucker instead.

However, this could set up a three-TE set! Rucker and Winslow are prototype H-backs, and Heiden is sometimes lined up at fullback. (Rucker also insists he can block, takes pride in it, and is anxious to prove it. With that attitude and the fact that he can add weight, I'll bet on it.)

Jumbo: Vickers/Lewis/3 TE's.

Wow.
Adam Caplan: all, see you next week
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