1: At the time Tom Heckert signed Scott Fujita, he was a pretty good 4-3 OLB with the Superbowl Saints. At this time, the Browns ran a 3-4, and Fujita projected to be a better fit for that system. Heckert signed Fujita partly because of the defensive system.
Fujita was also signed for his experience, intelligence, and leadership, to a young team. His salary was higher than it might have been, because at the time nobody wanted to play in Cleveland.
2: This is Dick Jauron's defense. In Jauron's ideal defense, the defensive tackles are big and strong, but the rest of the front seven are ideally quick/fast above all. Frostee Rucker is sort of a bonus which Jauron can adapt to, but Benard is a better fit.
ALL of the rookie and second-year linebackers on this team are better fits for THIS defense than Fujita---who is on his last legs and on this planet probably won't start anymore.
I'm really encouraged by the first two games. Not because the Browns first team beat the crap out of Green Bay's scrubs, but because of the improvement shown between game one and game two.
Weeden was much better, Gordon was like night and day, and the defense swarmed the run the way it was designed to.
Guys like Sims, the safety, really showed up. In general, we are just now seeing why it would be idiotic to fire Tom Heckert, as undrafted and practice squad players are beginning to emerge as potential starters. Anybody can find good players in the first couple rounds, but Heckert finds them everywhere, including in grocery stores.
This game against the Eagles isn't meaningless, obviously. The fact that both teams will play vanilla is GOOD, because strength, speed, and execution should prevail. This contest will be an excellent test for these young guys, because it's reduced to physical domination, especially in the trenches.
Blahblah it's only preseason blahblah the Superbowl Colts were 0-4 blahblah but they seem "together" and way ahead of schedule.
The fact that Adam Schein calls this the worst team in football is the most encouraging thing of all. I had thought 6-10 to 8-8, but maybe I should upgrade that.
Friday, August 24, 2012
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Judge Mental
I just got an email from my swamp-dwelling friend Judge Mental. It said "Browns suck."
At least he's more eloquent than Adam Schein, who says the Browns are the worst team in football, and could go 0-16.
Adam and the Judge are entitled to their opinions, and I don't take a game seriously enough to get mad at them over it. I would just never want either of them as a GM.
Schein is extreme in everything, and chronicly overstates and generalizes. Recently, he lumped Tom Heckert in with everybody else in the organization as people who "need to go". Adam isn't impressed by Heckert at all.
D'Qwell Jackson, Joe Thomas, Mohammad Massequoi, (I think) Alex Smith, and Brian Scheffering are the only players that remain from the roster Heckert inheritted. (I'm probably wrong, I haven't checked).
Heckert's first draft was for Mangini's offense and his 3-4 defense. He drafted Haden, Mack, McCoy, TJ Ward, Hardesty, Luavao, and Maiava. He acquired Scott Fujita, Ben Watson, and Seneca Wallace. He got Peyton Hillis and a draft pick for Brady Quinn, and signed Jordon Norwood.
Conventionally, you don't really judge a draft until after the third year, but I guess this is an emergency, so...
Joe Haden: Shut-down starter, still improving. All-Pro calibre.
Alex Mack: Easily one of the three or four best centers in the AFC.
Ward: Above average starter.
Hardesty: Recovered from injury, now proving Heckert right. Were it not for Richardson, he'd be the starter and do well.
Luavao: Starting right guard. Not great, still inconsistant, but decent and improving.
Maaiva: Depth player currently starting. He can't get bigger, unfortunately, but has great range and does a decent job. Hybrid suited for nickle and dime defenses.
Jordon Norwood: In a truly surprising scenario, fighting for a roster spot after being the Browns most reliable reciever last season.
Colt McCoy: He was a Holmgren pick in the third round. After showing promise as a rookie, last season he spent running for his life and having passes dropped. So far this preseason, he has predictably mastered the complex West Coast offense and predictably outperforms everybody else.
He should be retained as the primary backup quarterback, and as such would be one of the best in the NFL.
That's five starters and three quality depth-players, all of whom are still on their steepest growth curves. I've omitted Watson, Fujita, Sheldon Brown, and Gocong among others, but these were Heckert moves as well. All of them starters.
Heckert stubbornly (and wisely) refused to sign overpriced old one-year free agents in order to retain and cultivate young players, and is building a quality team which will remain intact, and last awhile.
If anything, Heckert seems to have improved since this amazing first draft. While Luavao is still spotty, Pinkston has emerged as a very solid starter. Taylor is a wrecking crew, Sheard a QB-killer, Cameron has predictably turned into a dangerous pass-catching tight end, Schwartze an insta-starter with upside, Benjamin is surprising everybody but Heckert himself, and Josh Gordon has already shown flashes of lethality.
I told you about Trevin Wade. Pundits are talking about his taking over the nickel slot. Short term, that's accurate, but Wade has the ability to take over for the aging Sheldon Brown this season.
It's irrational, and maybe insane, to bash Tom Heckert. In all, thirteen to fifteen of his draft picks will start this season. Those from his first draft only now have the experience of veterans, and young players will make mistakes. Any objective analyst factors youth and inexperience in. Anybody who can think straight understands that this team won't actually contend until 2013, but recognizes all the young talent that Heckert found.
Adam Schein and the Judge might cite wide reciever as a reason for the Browns being the worst team in the NFL. They have to ignore the greater range of Weeden, the predictable progress of second-year Gregg Little, the promise of Travis Benjamin, the flashes that Josh Gordon has already shown, and the return of Massequoi to his solid, productive form.
Schein being Schein, he'd no doubt argue with me over the offensive line being among the best in the NFL. He'd say they're average. He'd be full of crap as usual.
He'd grudgingly concede that the tight ends are above average, that Richardson is a stud, and that Weeden has great talent...and I'd ask him does that offense sound like the worst in the NFL?
He'd say yes. Like I said, irrational.
What about the defense, with four new defensive linemen, rapidly emerging back end players, quicker/faster young linebackers...on a defense which ranked tenth last season?
Adam would point at the linebackers and question their talent. Adam assumes everybody sucks until he hears somebody who knows what he's talking about say otherwise. These linebackers, except for D'Qwell Jackson, aren't elite by any means, but just gave the Green Bay Packers hell. This secondary should be one of the best in the NFL, and the defensive line, especially when Taylor returns, should catch up to them this season.
Does that sound like the worst defense in the NFL?
Yes, says Adam and the Judge.
Adam points to their tough schedule and dares anyone to find any wins. Fair enough. That's exactly what he said before the 10-6 season. Nothing he saw during that whole season changed his mind. He kept predicting that the Browns would lose the rest of their games.
For Adam, the Ravens losing their best player and their other key players putting one foot in the retirement home are irrelevant. Lacking forsight or insight, he can't imagine any team being any worse than it was last season, unless it's the Cleveland Browns.
But as we all know, players get old, leave in free agency, salary caps get unsupportable, stars get injured, and for every team that improves, another declines.
The Browns will beat some of those teams, and sneak up on one or two of the better ones.
Because of their youth and inexperience, especially at quarterback, the 2012 Browns can't be ranked in the top 20 or anything, but the worst team? Really?
YOU STAND CORRECTED.
At least he's more eloquent than Adam Schein, who says the Browns are the worst team in football, and could go 0-16.
Adam and the Judge are entitled to their opinions, and I don't take a game seriously enough to get mad at them over it. I would just never want either of them as a GM.
Schein is extreme in everything, and chronicly overstates and generalizes. Recently, he lumped Tom Heckert in with everybody else in the organization as people who "need to go". Adam isn't impressed by Heckert at all.
D'Qwell Jackson, Joe Thomas, Mohammad Massequoi, (I think) Alex Smith, and Brian Scheffering are the only players that remain from the roster Heckert inheritted. (I'm probably wrong, I haven't checked).
Heckert's first draft was for Mangini's offense and his 3-4 defense. He drafted Haden, Mack, McCoy, TJ Ward, Hardesty, Luavao, and Maiava. He acquired Scott Fujita, Ben Watson, and Seneca Wallace. He got Peyton Hillis and a draft pick for Brady Quinn, and signed Jordon Norwood.
Conventionally, you don't really judge a draft until after the third year, but I guess this is an emergency, so...
Joe Haden: Shut-down starter, still improving. All-Pro calibre.
Alex Mack: Easily one of the three or four best centers in the AFC.
Ward: Above average starter.
Hardesty: Recovered from injury, now proving Heckert right. Were it not for Richardson, he'd be the starter and do well.
Luavao: Starting right guard. Not great, still inconsistant, but decent and improving.
Maaiva: Depth player currently starting. He can't get bigger, unfortunately, but has great range and does a decent job. Hybrid suited for nickle and dime defenses.
Jordon Norwood: In a truly surprising scenario, fighting for a roster spot after being the Browns most reliable reciever last season.
Colt McCoy: He was a Holmgren pick in the third round. After showing promise as a rookie, last season he spent running for his life and having passes dropped. So far this preseason, he has predictably mastered the complex West Coast offense and predictably outperforms everybody else.
He should be retained as the primary backup quarterback, and as such would be one of the best in the NFL.
That's five starters and three quality depth-players, all of whom are still on their steepest growth curves. I've omitted Watson, Fujita, Sheldon Brown, and Gocong among others, but these were Heckert moves as well. All of them starters.
Heckert stubbornly (and wisely) refused to sign overpriced old one-year free agents in order to retain and cultivate young players, and is building a quality team which will remain intact, and last awhile.
If anything, Heckert seems to have improved since this amazing first draft. While Luavao is still spotty, Pinkston has emerged as a very solid starter. Taylor is a wrecking crew, Sheard a QB-killer, Cameron has predictably turned into a dangerous pass-catching tight end, Schwartze an insta-starter with upside, Benjamin is surprising everybody but Heckert himself, and Josh Gordon has already shown flashes of lethality.
I told you about Trevin Wade. Pundits are talking about his taking over the nickel slot. Short term, that's accurate, but Wade has the ability to take over for the aging Sheldon Brown this season.
It's irrational, and maybe insane, to bash Tom Heckert. In all, thirteen to fifteen of his draft picks will start this season. Those from his first draft only now have the experience of veterans, and young players will make mistakes. Any objective analyst factors youth and inexperience in. Anybody who can think straight understands that this team won't actually contend until 2013, but recognizes all the young talent that Heckert found.
Adam Schein and the Judge might cite wide reciever as a reason for the Browns being the worst team in the NFL. They have to ignore the greater range of Weeden, the predictable progress of second-year Gregg Little, the promise of Travis Benjamin, the flashes that Josh Gordon has already shown, and the return of Massequoi to his solid, productive form.
Schein being Schein, he'd no doubt argue with me over the offensive line being among the best in the NFL. He'd say they're average. He'd be full of crap as usual.
He'd grudgingly concede that the tight ends are above average, that Richardson is a stud, and that Weeden has great talent...and I'd ask him does that offense sound like the worst in the NFL?
He'd say yes. Like I said, irrational.
What about the defense, with four new defensive linemen, rapidly emerging back end players, quicker/faster young linebackers...on a defense which ranked tenth last season?
Adam would point at the linebackers and question their talent. Adam assumes everybody sucks until he hears somebody who knows what he's talking about say otherwise. These linebackers, except for D'Qwell Jackson, aren't elite by any means, but just gave the Green Bay Packers hell. This secondary should be one of the best in the NFL, and the defensive line, especially when Taylor returns, should catch up to them this season.
Does that sound like the worst defense in the NFL?
Yes, says Adam and the Judge.
Adam points to their tough schedule and dares anyone to find any wins. Fair enough. That's exactly what he said before the 10-6 season. Nothing he saw during that whole season changed his mind. He kept predicting that the Browns would lose the rest of their games.
For Adam, the Ravens losing their best player and their other key players putting one foot in the retirement home are irrelevant. Lacking forsight or insight, he can't imagine any team being any worse than it was last season, unless it's the Cleveland Browns.
But as we all know, players get old, leave in free agency, salary caps get unsupportable, stars get injured, and for every team that improves, another declines.
The Browns will beat some of those teams, and sneak up on one or two of the better ones.
Because of their youth and inexperience, especially at quarterback, the 2012 Browns can't be ranked in the top 20 or anything, but the worst team? Really?
YOU STAND CORRECTED.
Saturday, August 11, 2012
The First Preseason Game
I had to copy/paste this first:
The Browns sucked. One thing that I can,t stand is the stupid announcers like Greg Brinda and the others who would take Richardson a millions times...also idiot Kenny Roda another non-football player. Plus,Roda is the one that talk against Jim Brown...Jim Brown stated we might as well put Richardson in the HOF before he play a down...I did not miss practice.. nor games...Last, we need a middle linebacker, move Deqwell, our offensive line still suck and Weeden going to get killed so hand on to Colt...we will need four quarterbacks, the young lineman are good, but the receivers can't block...those are the keys...God Bless.
Friday, August 10, 2012
It's Over
I was unable to watch or listen to this game, but did check out the Facebook comments and stuff, as of the end of the first half vs. the Lions.
I understand that Weeden is the worst QB ever in the NFL, Shurmer is the worst coach, this offensive line is almost as bad, and the season is over.
...well that's all I've got so far...may God have mercy on our souls...
I understand that Weeden is the worst QB ever in the NFL, Shurmer is the worst coach, this offensive line is almost as bad, and the season is over.
...well that's all I've got so far...may God have mercy on our souls...
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Depth Chart
Most of it doesn't surprise me, but haha probably does surprise many fans who pay less attention.
The problem is that they can only list each guy once, while in reality, one guy often backs up multiple positions.
Rookie monster Ryan Miller is listed right behind Schwartze at right tackle, but it's more likely that (for the moment) O'Neal Cousins or John Greco would step in. It's even possible that in reality Greco is the number one backup at all five positions.
Pinkston was a left tackle in college, but it sounds a lot like he's been practicing exclusively at guard. Evidently they think highly of him, and just want him to focus on left guard.
I'm hearing that Miller moves surprisingly well, though. In fact, he's been practicing at several positions, including left tackle, so it is just possible that he is, or at least will soon be, the first alternate at right tackle. For that matter, Luavao better watch his back at RG. Competition is good.
At tight end, there's no such ambiguity, and Jordon Cameron has almost predictably passed up Alex Smith for number two behind Watson. I'm skipping Moore, because he's been dinged, but he's still very much in the race.
Thing is, Cameron is going to be a real tight end who can block in-line, like Watson. Jordon is more of a huge wide reciever. Cameron's future here is much brighter, especially in a run-oriented offense.
There could also be some confusion here, too: Alex Smith could still come in ahead of Cameron in situations where blocking is more important. But I can't mention Smith without re-stating that he is massively underrated as a reciever--and I mean one who can get deep.
Grossi is right about Moore being on a bubble. He has been hurt too often, Cameron does what he does, Smelley threatens his roster spot, and Dan Gronkowski is no slouch. He's not as fast as his NE Patriot brother, but he's solid and has upside.
I notice with the recievers that the X (left to the QB) WR's are all big guys, and MoMass is the biggest of the Y's. While this could be deceptive too, since all the recievers learn and practice at both spots, it does seem to indicate a strong schematic pattern.
A defense's best cornerback is generally on the X. He's usually a strong in man coverage. They seem to want to challenge the potential "shut-down" corner with height and size to power through bumps and stuff.
The second-best corner is on the Y. They want to challenge him with speed and quickness. And then in the three-wides, they put Little in the slot, to challenge the third cornerback...I like it.
It is notable that Benjamin is already listed ahead of Norwood. It means they really do like him better already.
I like McCoy as number two, for all the obvious and irrefutable reasons, which I won't repeat yet again. I can't fault him for crying foul, either. As for that, from what I've heard, Weeden has proven that he can be better. It doesn't matter which unit you're working with. Do your passes lead the recievers consistantly, and can you get it deep quickly?
I still really like Colt. I just like Weeden better.
John Hughes isn't much of a pass rusher, but can clog up the line and stop the run, and I'm not surprised that he is number one next to Rubin until Taylor gets back. I believe what Heckert said about him.
Grossi raising a red flag about defensive line depth sounds insane to me. This group is exceptionally deep and versatile. Rucker is also a situational passrushing DT, that role is custom-made for the underrated Billy Winn, Schaefering was a nose tackle in college and can play defensive end on run downs...
Maybe Grossi just means they only have two big monsters and the rest are a mere paltry 295 lbs or something...I dunno...
I (and Ross Tucker of NFL Radio) am concerned about Richardson's knee. In the short term, this is not important, but he only has so much cartilage in his knee, and he's already losing it.
The Joe Haden thing is, to me, a blessing in disguise. The Browns weren't going to the playoffs this season anyway, and now the other guys will get more real-game experience.
Notably, I mean Buster Skrine and Trevin Wade. Quietly, rookie Wade has been doing a great job in practice. He was up and down in college, but when he was "up", he was a first-round talent. He has the potential to be a huge, huge steal.
Skrine is short. That's the only thing that's wrong with him. He can cover as well as anybody, and tackles like a bigger man.
Earlier, I said that Sheldon Brown had lost a step and was victimized often and frequently last season. That's true. But lately I've heard that he's done very well in this training camp. I can only hope that he got a "tune-up" in the off-season or something and can return to his 2010 form one last time.
James Micheal-Johnson may very well not give up starting on the strong side when Fujita comes back. Fujita was torched constantly by tight ends last season, and JMJ is the total package. I like Fujita for depth and leadership, and on run downs.
Gocong had really just emerged as an elite linebacker late last season, so it just figures that he was due to get maimed here in Cleveland.
Maaiva (sp?) is massively different. Faster, but tiny. I like his coverage and range, but defenses will try to run him right over.
This chart doesn't address sub-defenses, however. In this league, the Browns will be in nickles and dimes perhaps more than half the time. Kaluka definitely has a role here, as will Usama Young, Ventrone, and Skrine.
By the way, Hagg passing Young this season doesn't mean he sucks. It means Hagg is good.
Well, my glass is half-full. the young cornerbacks will get to play more for four games, JMJ will get a fair chance to take over strongside linebacker despite politics, Hughes and Winn will get extra reps til Taylor comes back, and by the end of the season the team will be much more experienced and deeper as a result.
Almost forgot: Adonis Thomas will get a chance. He is scary.
The problem is that they can only list each guy once, while in reality, one guy often backs up multiple positions.
Rookie monster Ryan Miller is listed right behind Schwartze at right tackle, but it's more likely that (for the moment) O'Neal Cousins or John Greco would step in. It's even possible that in reality Greco is the number one backup at all five positions.
Pinkston was a left tackle in college, but it sounds a lot like he's been practicing exclusively at guard. Evidently they think highly of him, and just want him to focus on left guard.
I'm hearing that Miller moves surprisingly well, though. In fact, he's been practicing at several positions, including left tackle, so it is just possible that he is, or at least will soon be, the first alternate at right tackle. For that matter, Luavao better watch his back at RG. Competition is good.
At tight end, there's no such ambiguity, and Jordon Cameron has almost predictably passed up Alex Smith for number two behind Watson. I'm skipping Moore, because he's been dinged, but he's still very much in the race.
Thing is, Cameron is going to be a real tight end who can block in-line, like Watson. Jordon is more of a huge wide reciever. Cameron's future here is much brighter, especially in a run-oriented offense.
There could also be some confusion here, too: Alex Smith could still come in ahead of Cameron in situations where blocking is more important. But I can't mention Smith without re-stating that he is massively underrated as a reciever--and I mean one who can get deep.
Grossi is right about Moore being on a bubble. He has been hurt too often, Cameron does what he does, Smelley threatens his roster spot, and Dan Gronkowski is no slouch. He's not as fast as his NE Patriot brother, but he's solid and has upside.
I notice with the recievers that the X (left to the QB) WR's are all big guys, and MoMass is the biggest of the Y's. While this could be deceptive too, since all the recievers learn and practice at both spots, it does seem to indicate a strong schematic pattern.
A defense's best cornerback is generally on the X. He's usually a strong in man coverage. They seem to want to challenge the potential "shut-down" corner with height and size to power through bumps and stuff.
The second-best corner is on the Y. They want to challenge him with speed and quickness. And then in the three-wides, they put Little in the slot, to challenge the third cornerback...I like it.
It is notable that Benjamin is already listed ahead of Norwood. It means they really do like him better already.
I like McCoy as number two, for all the obvious and irrefutable reasons, which I won't repeat yet again. I can't fault him for crying foul, either. As for that, from what I've heard, Weeden has proven that he can be better. It doesn't matter which unit you're working with. Do your passes lead the recievers consistantly, and can you get it deep quickly?
I still really like Colt. I just like Weeden better.
John Hughes isn't much of a pass rusher, but can clog up the line and stop the run, and I'm not surprised that he is number one next to Rubin until Taylor gets back. I believe what Heckert said about him.
Grossi raising a red flag about defensive line depth sounds insane to me. This group is exceptionally deep and versatile. Rucker is also a situational passrushing DT, that role is custom-made for the underrated Billy Winn, Schaefering was a nose tackle in college and can play defensive end on run downs...
Maybe Grossi just means they only have two big monsters and the rest are a mere paltry 295 lbs or something...I dunno...
I (and Ross Tucker of NFL Radio) am concerned about Richardson's knee. In the short term, this is not important, but he only has so much cartilage in his knee, and he's already losing it.
The Joe Haden thing is, to me, a blessing in disguise. The Browns weren't going to the playoffs this season anyway, and now the other guys will get more real-game experience.
Notably, I mean Buster Skrine and Trevin Wade. Quietly, rookie Wade has been doing a great job in practice. He was up and down in college, but when he was "up", he was a first-round talent. He has the potential to be a huge, huge steal.
Skrine is short. That's the only thing that's wrong with him. He can cover as well as anybody, and tackles like a bigger man.
Earlier, I said that Sheldon Brown had lost a step and was victimized often and frequently last season. That's true. But lately I've heard that he's done very well in this training camp. I can only hope that he got a "tune-up" in the off-season or something and can return to his 2010 form one last time.
James Micheal-Johnson may very well not give up starting on the strong side when Fujita comes back. Fujita was torched constantly by tight ends last season, and JMJ is the total package. I like Fujita for depth and leadership, and on run downs.
Gocong had really just emerged as an elite linebacker late last season, so it just figures that he was due to get maimed here in Cleveland.
Maaiva (sp?) is massively different. Faster, but tiny. I like his coverage and range, but defenses will try to run him right over.
This chart doesn't address sub-defenses, however. In this league, the Browns will be in nickles and dimes perhaps more than half the time. Kaluka definitely has a role here, as will Usama Young, Ventrone, and Skrine.
By the way, Hagg passing Young this season doesn't mean he sucks. It means Hagg is good.
Well, my glass is half-full. the young cornerbacks will get to play more for four games, JMJ will get a fair chance to take over strongside linebacker despite politics, Hughes and Winn will get extra reps til Taylor comes back, and by the end of the season the team will be much more experienced and deeper as a result.
Almost forgot: Adonis Thomas will get a chance. He is scary.
Sunday, August 5, 2012
You've Done an Awesome Job but You're Fired Because you got Cooties and are a Stink-Face
I was in town for a few minutes recently and tuned in am 850. This guy is talking about Jimmy Haslam having said he's going to "blow it up", or something.
This commentator took this to mean that the very first thing Haslam would do would be to fire everybody, including Tom Heckert.
Then, I read another comumnist who had Heckert on his way out because of "conflicting" reports about his relationship with Joe Banner, who could well be replacing Mike Holmgren.
That's how I came up with the title for this blog entry. That's about how a lot of these people think Haslam and Banner think.
Look, I really think you guys watch too many of these reality shows which have nothing to do with reality. You know, the ones in which people are constantly backstabbing eachother and having huge fights?
It's not real, guys! The participants just want to make sure they stay on the air, so they've got to act like a bunch of idiots! Real people don't act like that, except maybe in certain prisons, mental institutions, and trailer parks.
And especially not at the level of managing a football franchise! This type of person is weeded out early in his carreer, you see? If Joe Banner acted like that, he'd be working for Tom Heckert!
It is certainly possible that Banner will show Heckert the door--as insane as that sounds. But he won't do it because they had an argument one time, or Heckert once forgot to return Banner's executive restroom key or whatever! Are you kidding me?
Banner won't fire Heckert unless he sincerely believes he has somebody who will be even better than him lined up. I personally doubt this, because as many as twelve starters will be players that he drafted. Several key contributors will be low round draft picks, and maybe even undrafteds.
Demanding eight or more wins of a team this young, notably inexperienced at quarterback, in this division with this schedule is unreasonable for 2012. I don't believe the bar will be set that high.
It's true that the organization isn't big enough for both Holmgren and Banner. But Holmy has a guaranteed contract, and if he doesn't want to take a buy-out, he could stick around in some other capacity--like helping to develop the quarterbacks--coaching without all the headaches. Or not. Either way, this is a business move, because Banner is excellent.
Shurmer is certainly on the bubble, but I'm pretty sure that the new front office will keep an open mind and see how the team performs before they fire him and cause yet still more disruption, just as the young players are mastering their systems.
Haslam isn't Lerner, either. He's been in the Steelers culture, he's going for an informal seminar with Robert Kraft, owner of the Patriots. He's smart, and hands-on, and won't allow any kneejerk stupid moves.
As a trucker, I know Pilot and Flying J. I witnessed that merger, and the changes that were made. Flying J used to have in-house restauraunts with buffets. Now they have Denny's franchises leasing space instead.
They still have delis at the counters with chicken wings, eggrolls, burritos, salads etc. Still have Pizza kiosks. Still have most of the good stuff that Flying J's always had, which make them unique.
Are you getting this? Haslam didn't turn Flying J into Pilot. He made minor changes here and there, but KEPT the best parts of Flying J! In other words, he's not a stupid, impulsive child. I believe Tom Heckert will stick around.
The Browns were 4-12 in a strike-shortened season with new offensive and defensive systems and a bunch of rookies. But, thanks to Heckert, they're just now, three years after he started, completing the overhaul of the whole offense, and continue to improve an already good defense.
Unlike many fans, Haslam will recognize this--and so will Banner. Beyond getting rid of the buffet, he might not do much, provided the team shows real improvement this season. As it WILL.
I even had a thought about Holmgren as Head Coach, but doubt it. I think he's done with that. But he IS under contract......
One thing I think I see that I like: McCoy is getting most of the reps after Weeden. I strongly suspect that Banner has already suggested that Wallace is much older, costs around four times as much, and has zero upside, so....
I mean that whole Wallace over McCoy thing is irrational. McCoy doesn't have the strong arm, but can move a team up and down a field. He already has more real-game experience than Wallace. Nobody would trade much for him...
I mean, I heard rumors of the Packers trading a bag of chips or something for him. It probably wasn't true, but I wouldn't doubt it. The Packers are SMART.
And there is no controversy. McCoy is a pro, and has to see that Weeden makes some throws that he can't. He's doing well in practice, but not better than the first-round draft pick. If he were, there might be an issue, but there is none. The Weeden era is a foregone conclusion, and Colt wants to stick around anyway.
So keep him. He might not be a franchise quarterback, but could be one of the best backups in the NFL.
I've recently learned more about this offense from Josh Gordon in an interview. he said that the slot reciever here needed to block more than in other schemes. I hadn't known that! No doubt they aim him at a safety or linebacker in screens and runs.
This is why Greg Little goes to the slot in 3-wides (so far). The amazing part, to me, is that Gordon continues to cement his hold on the outside--and it's often the X-slot, on the quarterback's left side! That's the number ONE slot! I'm shocked that he was able to learn enough to do this this quickly!
Of course, this offense will often use two tight ends, and sometimes two running backs. The top two wide recievers could remain MoMass and Little, for now. The formation featuring Gordon is specialized, and Gordon doesn't need the full range of reads, etc. to master it.
But then, that's really smart coaching. Let the kid focus on one package, and progress from there.
This commentator took this to mean that the very first thing Haslam would do would be to fire everybody, including Tom Heckert.
Then, I read another comumnist who had Heckert on his way out because of "conflicting" reports about his relationship with Joe Banner, who could well be replacing Mike Holmgren.
That's how I came up with the title for this blog entry. That's about how a lot of these people think Haslam and Banner think.
Look, I really think you guys watch too many of these reality shows which have nothing to do with reality. You know, the ones in which people are constantly backstabbing eachother and having huge fights?
It's not real, guys! The participants just want to make sure they stay on the air, so they've got to act like a bunch of idiots! Real people don't act like that, except maybe in certain prisons, mental institutions, and trailer parks.
And especially not at the level of managing a football franchise! This type of person is weeded out early in his carreer, you see? If Joe Banner acted like that, he'd be working for Tom Heckert!
It is certainly possible that Banner will show Heckert the door--as insane as that sounds. But he won't do it because they had an argument one time, or Heckert once forgot to return Banner's executive restroom key or whatever! Are you kidding me?
Banner won't fire Heckert unless he sincerely believes he has somebody who will be even better than him lined up. I personally doubt this, because as many as twelve starters will be players that he drafted. Several key contributors will be low round draft picks, and maybe even undrafteds.
Demanding eight or more wins of a team this young, notably inexperienced at quarterback, in this division with this schedule is unreasonable for 2012. I don't believe the bar will be set that high.
It's true that the organization isn't big enough for both Holmgren and Banner. But Holmy has a guaranteed contract, and if he doesn't want to take a buy-out, he could stick around in some other capacity--like helping to develop the quarterbacks--coaching without all the headaches. Or not. Either way, this is a business move, because Banner is excellent.
Shurmer is certainly on the bubble, but I'm pretty sure that the new front office will keep an open mind and see how the team performs before they fire him and cause yet still more disruption, just as the young players are mastering their systems.
Haslam isn't Lerner, either. He's been in the Steelers culture, he's going for an informal seminar with Robert Kraft, owner of the Patriots. He's smart, and hands-on, and won't allow any kneejerk stupid moves.
As a trucker, I know Pilot and Flying J. I witnessed that merger, and the changes that were made. Flying J used to have in-house restauraunts with buffets. Now they have Denny's franchises leasing space instead.
They still have delis at the counters with chicken wings, eggrolls, burritos, salads etc. Still have Pizza kiosks. Still have most of the good stuff that Flying J's always had, which make them unique.
Are you getting this? Haslam didn't turn Flying J into Pilot. He made minor changes here and there, but KEPT the best parts of Flying J! In other words, he's not a stupid, impulsive child. I believe Tom Heckert will stick around.
The Browns were 4-12 in a strike-shortened season with new offensive and defensive systems and a bunch of rookies. But, thanks to Heckert, they're just now, three years after he started, completing the overhaul of the whole offense, and continue to improve an already good defense.
Unlike many fans, Haslam will recognize this--and so will Banner. Beyond getting rid of the buffet, he might not do much, provided the team shows real improvement this season. As it WILL.
I even had a thought about Holmgren as Head Coach, but doubt it. I think he's done with that. But he IS under contract......
One thing I think I see that I like: McCoy is getting most of the reps after Weeden. I strongly suspect that Banner has already suggested that Wallace is much older, costs around four times as much, and has zero upside, so....
I mean that whole Wallace over McCoy thing is irrational. McCoy doesn't have the strong arm, but can move a team up and down a field. He already has more real-game experience than Wallace. Nobody would trade much for him...
I mean, I heard rumors of the Packers trading a bag of chips or something for him. It probably wasn't true, but I wouldn't doubt it. The Packers are SMART.
And there is no controversy. McCoy is a pro, and has to see that Weeden makes some throws that he can't. He's doing well in practice, but not better than the first-round draft pick. If he were, there might be an issue, but there is none. The Weeden era is a foregone conclusion, and Colt wants to stick around anyway.
So keep him. He might not be a franchise quarterback, but could be one of the best backups in the NFL.
I've recently learned more about this offense from Josh Gordon in an interview. he said that the slot reciever here needed to block more than in other schemes. I hadn't known that! No doubt they aim him at a safety or linebacker in screens and runs.
This is why Greg Little goes to the slot in 3-wides (so far). The amazing part, to me, is that Gordon continues to cement his hold on the outside--and it's often the X-slot, on the quarterback's left side! That's the number ONE slot! I'm shocked that he was able to learn enough to do this this quickly!
Of course, this offense will often use two tight ends, and sometimes two running backs. The top two wide recievers could remain MoMass and Little, for now. The formation featuring Gordon is specialized, and Gordon doesn't need the full range of reads, etc. to master it.
But then, that's really smart coaching. Let the kid focus on one package, and progress from there.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
NFL Radio's New Blood and the Browns
I like Kieth Bulluck and Brian Westbrook. These guys are new to NFL Radio, but already seem to have done their homework on the bad teams, as well as the good ones.
Unlike Rich Gannon and Armani Tumor, these guys actually seem to know the Browns roster...I mean besides Trent Richardson and Weeden. Why, I've heard them mention Jordon Norwood! No, it's true!
And since they do seem to have done their research, niether seems as negative as more ignorant pundits are about the Browns prospects. Don't get me wrong--I think they expect another basement room in the AFC North, but a better record.
Master of the Obvious and Hindsight Adam Schein agrees with a Cleveland caller that the Browns could use the venerable and stately Plaxico Burress. This way, he could teach the younger wide recievers how to run correct West Coast routes and catch passes for a losing season, then retire, taking Jordon Norwood or some other young guy with him into the sunset.
I'm confiscating the word "mentor", ok? You know who's the best non-coaching teacher of the Browns wide-outs? Joe Haden. YOUNG players improve with experience, and Heckert is building a team.
I'm glad to hear the Travis Benjamin has stopped dropping passes. It doesn't suprise me at all that his routes are better--now that he knows what he's doing duh.
Jordon Cameron is also showing up, and even Josh Gordon.
On Gordon, I found out that Utah runs a West Coast. Tony Grossi dismissed this, saying that per Gordon, he only practiced with the scout team. Fair enough, but Tony doesn't spare the time to look deeper.
Gordon did have to memorize his playbook and the West Coast route tree. He did no doubt participate in pitch-and-catch drills, practicing those routes against DB's.
While the last I heard about Mitchell was that the coaches and other players were having to tell him where to line up---a very, very bad sign--Gordon sounds as if he's already passed the third-year player up!
Working with the ones, outside in 3-wides? Wow!
No surprise that Massequoi is holding onto the number two slot (for now). I've been telling you that for a long time. He has never been the problem, even when he's limping and dizzy.
I love how both Richardson and Weeden are interrogating the veteran defenders to figure out what they're doing wrong, and how to get better. Little things like Joe Haden telling Weeden that he was locked onto his primary as he took his three steps is huge. Weeden was smart enough to ask Joe how he broke up the pass--I love that!
A permabasher would read that and say it was obvious and that Weeden should have known better in the first place. That's ignorant. Weeden hardly took any snaps from under center in college. If he had taken a snap and thrown the ball two seconds later, it's bloody unlikely that a defensive back would have had a chance to read his eyes. Joe Haden is very, very good.
Another point about Weeden is the fact that he was using the scrimmages to test the limits. He's not afraid, and is trying to see what he can get away with now, when it doesn't count. This is where his maturity comes in. A younger guy would be afraid to do that, figuring that interceptions in practice would demote him.
He has said that in a real game, he'd take the check-down rather than try some of the longer throws he tried. Again, he's mature enough to be flexible. This is great.
As for the AFC North, I now think that the Bengals will be strong contenders. The Stoolers sort of stood still, between cap casualties and the draft. The perennially overrated Ravens, meanwhile, are OLD. In fact, the Browns could overtake them.
And this is why so many prognosticators picking the Browns as the 30th team are wrong. The Ravens are two games on their extremely tough schedule, and these people ignore how old they are, and who they're missing. They also ignore how many Cleveland starters are second and third-year players who are coming into their own just now.
The Browns are the most improved team in the North--edging out the Bengals, I believe, on the strength of the Gordon move.
I underestimated Josh Gordon, and he's the final piece of the offensive puzzle. While Weeden will no doubt make mistakes, throughout his carreer he shakes it off and comes back stronger, rather than suffer an emotional collapse as some young QB's do.
He'll have a strong line, much faster recievers, a strong running game, and a tough defense. This offense can and will attack every part of the field. Inexperience will hold them back somewhat this season, but they'll be in every game.
On the new owners: Please wait a season or two before you start trying to chase them out of town. Please don't start right away if/when they don't fire everybody.
Unlike Rich Gannon and Armani Tumor, these guys actually seem to know the Browns roster...I mean besides Trent Richardson and Weeden. Why, I've heard them mention Jordon Norwood! No, it's true!
And since they do seem to have done their research, niether seems as negative as more ignorant pundits are about the Browns prospects. Don't get me wrong--I think they expect another basement room in the AFC North, but a better record.
Master of the Obvious and Hindsight Adam Schein agrees with a Cleveland caller that the Browns could use the venerable and stately Plaxico Burress. This way, he could teach the younger wide recievers how to run correct West Coast routes and catch passes for a losing season, then retire, taking Jordon Norwood or some other young guy with him into the sunset.
I'm confiscating the word "mentor", ok? You know who's the best non-coaching teacher of the Browns wide-outs? Joe Haden. YOUNG players improve with experience, and Heckert is building a team.
I'm glad to hear the Travis Benjamin has stopped dropping passes. It doesn't suprise me at all that his routes are better--now that he knows what he's doing duh.
Jordon Cameron is also showing up, and even Josh Gordon.
On Gordon, I found out that Utah runs a West Coast. Tony Grossi dismissed this, saying that per Gordon, he only practiced with the scout team. Fair enough, but Tony doesn't spare the time to look deeper.
Gordon did have to memorize his playbook and the West Coast route tree. He did no doubt participate in pitch-and-catch drills, practicing those routes against DB's.
While the last I heard about Mitchell was that the coaches and other players were having to tell him where to line up---a very, very bad sign--Gordon sounds as if he's already passed the third-year player up!
Working with the ones, outside in 3-wides? Wow!
No surprise that Massequoi is holding onto the number two slot (for now). I've been telling you that for a long time. He has never been the problem, even when he's limping and dizzy.
I love how both Richardson and Weeden are interrogating the veteran defenders to figure out what they're doing wrong, and how to get better. Little things like Joe Haden telling Weeden that he was locked onto his primary as he took his three steps is huge. Weeden was smart enough to ask Joe how he broke up the pass--I love that!
A permabasher would read that and say it was obvious and that Weeden should have known better in the first place. That's ignorant. Weeden hardly took any snaps from under center in college. If he had taken a snap and thrown the ball two seconds later, it's bloody unlikely that a defensive back would have had a chance to read his eyes. Joe Haden is very, very good.
Another point about Weeden is the fact that he was using the scrimmages to test the limits. He's not afraid, and is trying to see what he can get away with now, when it doesn't count. This is where his maturity comes in. A younger guy would be afraid to do that, figuring that interceptions in practice would demote him.
He has said that in a real game, he'd take the check-down rather than try some of the longer throws he tried. Again, he's mature enough to be flexible. This is great.
As for the AFC North, I now think that the Bengals will be strong contenders. The Stoolers sort of stood still, between cap casualties and the draft. The perennially overrated Ravens, meanwhile, are OLD. In fact, the Browns could overtake them.
And this is why so many prognosticators picking the Browns as the 30th team are wrong. The Ravens are two games on their extremely tough schedule, and these people ignore how old they are, and who they're missing. They also ignore how many Cleveland starters are second and third-year players who are coming into their own just now.
The Browns are the most improved team in the North--edging out the Bengals, I believe, on the strength of the Gordon move.
I underestimated Josh Gordon, and he's the final piece of the offensive puzzle. While Weeden will no doubt make mistakes, throughout his carreer he shakes it off and comes back stronger, rather than suffer an emotional collapse as some young QB's do.
He'll have a strong line, much faster recievers, a strong running game, and a tough defense. This offense can and will attack every part of the field. Inexperience will hold them back somewhat this season, but they'll be in every game.
On the new owners: Please wait a season or two before you start trying to chase them out of town. Please don't start right away if/when they don't fire everybody.
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