Letter To Oblivia

Ben Sullivan suggested five free agents for the Browns that he felt were underrated.  They're all old and declining.

What bothers me more is the almost universal ignorance of Kyle Shanahan's offensive system, and how it will influence personnel "needs".

Here we go with "the Browns need a running back bad" mantra that even Pluto is starting to recite.

The Shanahans have for years and years taken low or even undrafted no-name running backs and made stars of them.  Usually when they left to play in a different offensive system, they fell off the map again.

Is any of this sinking in yet?

It's the zone-blocking scheme.  The back rarely runs right up the middle, but instead angles toward one tackle or the other, waiting for a cutback lane.  He cuts back almost every time--the only question is when he'll do it.

The offensive linemen don't man-block, but head sideways as well, trying to earhole and cut defenders.  This oversimplifies it; I mean there's a "seal-off" guy and a center or guard might chip and go linebacker-hunting vertically, but the gist is that it's a finesse thing and not a power thing.

All defenders can and do try to penetrate too fast to get nailed, but this very act is often what opens up the cutback lane.  They arrive in the backfield too late to get the back, and the back is now running right through the space they just vacated.

Zone blockers also ignore anybody who doesn't matter, so you often see big defenders running around behind them--guys who can't catch the running back from behind.  

Instead, the blockers hit linebackers and safeties who CAN get him.

This is hard to defend.  It creates chaos in a defense, which can't predict it. Even if they know exactly what the offense will run, it's like a battle-plan: It's out the window soon after the first shot is fired.  Defenders can't "read" their blocks, either.

A quick back who can accellerate quickly out of a cut excels in this system, even if he's not all that great.  A power back can do it too, because defenders can't square up on them in time.  Ironicly, Trent Richardson would be awesome in this scheme.

So no, the Browns biggest needs do NOT include running back anymore, because Kyle Shanahan has changed that already DO YOU UNDERSTAND YET?

While I'm at it, a few more things about Kyle's offense: He doesn't care about "blocking" tight ends.  That's only SORTA true.  His tight ends need not be in-line blockers, but do blast linebackers and safeties in space. They also decoy bigger defenders away from runs.

Kyle likes a blocking fullback in this mix; you see it's all about open space and chaos, whereas Turner's offense was more about pushing people around and controlling the line of scrimmage.

This writer also thought the Browns should grab a 32-year-old guard.

In my previous posts, I referred to the lack of zone-blockers on the current roster.  It's still true.  Shanahan's presence could make a difference in the retention of Alex Mack.  He won't want to scrap everybody except Thomas right away.

Schwartze as a guard could be adequate in a zone, because he has some extra reach and only slightly below average speed.  Certainly Kyle and the line coach could work with him.  One athletic guard could make it work--sorta--right away without a big overhaul.

And that guy might already be on the roster.

Other than the blocking scheme, the Shanahan offense is a lot like Turner's.  I believe there are more intermediate crossing routes ala the West Coast, but it's still run-oriented with deep passes.  It's been called the "East Coast" system.

Anyway get with the program.  The Browns may not have ideal zone linemen, but the free agents or draftees they seek will not be old and slow.

They will seek better running backs, but it may not even be an area of need at all.  Rodney Obgannayafield might fit in quite well!  Commitees work fine in this offense.

THINK.