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.