Is anybody else starting to begin to notice those running plays that got blown up in the backfield? Is it dawning on you that Adrian Peterson couldn't have escaped that, and that this is a blocking issue?
Now look at this: Everybody is dropping passes!
Still, one writer from ESPN was pretty ignorant about the Browns problems. He describes a team just full of holes, then talks about how the drops and penalties really hurt them. He mentions two dropped touchdown passes, Gipson's bonehead move that probably gave the Jets a field goal, and other errors having nothing to do with talent.
I suppose this means that Josh Gordon, who dropped at least one of the passes, now officially sucks. That Gipson sucks. That Hoyer, when he comes back, will suck, along with any quarterback they draft. I guess this means that Thomas and Mack suck.
Bullcrap. This team needs to upgrade at guard (which could mean drafting a right tackle and moving people-or the emergence of one of three guys already on the roster, ripening in the nursery).
Inside linebackers, fullbacks, possession recievers, and guards aren't often drafted in the top twenty of a draft, and many pro bowlers at these positions emerge from the third round or below.
Another bad analyst warned that anybody who thinks the Browns can fix all their problems in one offseason is mistaken. The Browns have an extra first, third, and fourth round pick and 25 mil in cap space. See previous paragraph, goober.
Try to grasp this: There are twenty two starters. Not fifty. The Browns don't really need to replace: Thomas, Mack, Schwartze (probably a good GUARD ok?), Cameron, Gordon, Hoyer, Baker, anybody on the defensive line, Jackson, any of three outside linebackers, Skrine, Haden, Gipson, or Ward. Can't you count?
I've left out a certain running back who broke his leg and will return next season, three practice squad offensive linemen with great potential, two of whom can play right tackle, one center, and all three guard.
In this game I saw some nifty stuff from Josh Cooper, and have some hope for the slot reciever position next season.
The Browns are in a 6-way tie for the second worst record with four wins, and the Texans lead the race for the top overall pick with 3.
Experience has taught me that now that it means nothing, the Browns could upset Pittsburgh due to their superior overall talent, but I remain hopeful that they will lose.
Due to their unfortunate success within the division, this would still have them drafting sixth overall at best, and more likely seventh.
Funny comments: One poster said he didn't believe in drafting quarterbacks that high. Laughing yet?
Another poster said skip the quarterback, draft an offensive lineman.
Another poster said he expected Bortles to be drafted third overall by the Raiders. From his other comments, I know this guy is pretty smart, but I doubt that. This guys seems to assume that both Carr and Bridgewater will be gone, and that the Raiders agree with him (and me) that Bortles will be the best of the rest.
On the Bridgewater staying in college issue, I doubt it. And sure hope not.
However, it's now looking more and more like Bortles won't fall to the Browns, and if they really want him they'll have to trade up. Even the trade-up is questionable, because those teams want quarterbacks too.
In the event that they either don't see a real franchise guy, or do but can't get him, what should they do?
Being the anti-Grossi, my default answer as always is to trade down if they can. They could move down 3-5 slots and still get an exceptional right tackle; ie one with the physical tools to play left tackle. That move should land them a second round pick.
Think about that: Cyrus Kouandjio or Taylor Lewan now opposite Joe Thomas, Mitchell Schwartze playing guard, and now a low first, high second, and middle second round pick coming right behind them!
That's a wide reciever, center (if neccessary), and (pick one) stud inside backer or corner or whatever--even before you get to the high and low third and high fourth rounder where the fullbacks, running backs, guards, and inside linbackers linger overlong.
I'm sure that among those picks a project quarterback would be drafted for Turner and company to mold from the ground up, and meanwhile they'd trust in Hoyer and (I hope) retain Campbell for depth and guidance.
That's making the best of a tough situation. This would give Hoyer better protection, a stronger run game, another reliable and probably dangerous target, and a stronger defense. Even if Hoyer doesn't in the long run emerge as a truly elite quarterback (and I believe he will), he'll probably LOOK like one.
Anybody who thinks the Browns CAN'T turn this thing around in one offseason just isn't paying attention.
Never thought I'd say this: Go Stoolers.
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