Alex Smith Corrections

It's reasonable to expect the Browns to chase Alex Smith, but it's not official because some pundit said it's logical.  Just a nit-picky point here, but as often as these guys are wrong...

1: It's highly unlikely that the Niners won't be able to trade Smith.  Too many teams will want him, and the best offer is better than nothing.  Considering the salary he'd command as a free agent, many teams would prefer the trade.

2: A "mid-round pick" for a guy who took his team to the conference championship last season?  A 28 year old with a 104 QBR?  Really?  I thought I was an optimist!  Are you confusing Alex Smith with Colt McCoy or something?

It's possible that the only way for the Browns to get him would be to trade their first-round pick.

And I would make that trade, but Grossi might be right about Norv Turner believing he can fix Weeden up.  And I defer.

3: Signing Smith would not mean the end of Weeden.  He was drafted after the rookie cap and, unless traded, would be retained.  I'd rather have him than Derrick Anderson...but as an objective, rational person I'd welcome DA as a backup in Turner's system.  Grow up.  I can't say the same for Colt.

4: I'm now coming around to the idea of Rubin at DE after reading Ray Horton's more recent comments.  I think I was wrong.  I'll have to live with it.

5: Speaking of his and Chud's comments, the 5-2, 3-4, 4-4 parts were repeated.  I can translate:
Sub-defenses are played on around 65% of the downs in the NFL.  Even on first down, many teams run 3/4 wides, and in some cases a second tight end mandates some kind of nickel because the second tight end is a WR/TE hybrid.

A three-man front works best in a sub-defense , especially when either DE can drop into coverage on a zone-blitze.  It automaticly makes room for the extra cornerback, safety, or coverage linebacker.

A 5-2 could really be both OLB's with their hands on the ground or on the line as of the snap.  A 4-4 could be a sub in which one OLB is on the line, and the other is replaced by a smaller, faster guy, including maybe a safety.

Pittsburgh does do all this stuff.  What's in a name?