Legal beagles use the terms "Letter of the law" and "spirit of the law".
According to the letter of the NFL substance abuse policy, Gordon failed his test. That's because the "A" sample; ie the bottle randomly tested first--is the test, and the level of the substance in the "B" sample is irrelevant.
In other words, if the lab had tested the other bottle first, Josh would have passed, see?
Gordon's lawyer will rightfully appeal to common sense, since this makes no sense at all. He'll also point out that the average of the two samples (below the threshhold) is much more reliable, and (as if one is needed) bring in an expert to confirm that this was almost certainly second-hand smoke.
I've already heard from some NFL spokesmen, and don't like what I hear. They're planning to stick to the letter of the law. "A player is responsible for what's in his body", blahblah blah and I don't care if it's senseless here it is in writing right here so you're screwed no matter what so there.
It's absolutely right to toss in the contrast between the Gordon suspension and Ray Rice's (two games), considering the severity of what they're accused of.
It's easy to crucify Ray Rice, but this was the first time he's ever been in trouble, and he's known as a first class person. I know he was dragging his unconscious fiance out of the elevator, and he did knock her out. You don't hit a woman even in self-defense--I need to tell a certain commentor who apparently wasn't raised right--
BUT he might have shoved her away, causing her to bang her head. That's only one of several ways I can think of that a person that much smaller than another person could have been kayoed accidentally.
Yeah, I know he's a Raven, but I can only use the comparison for the Gordon thing, and think this is the one time in Ray's whole life that he slipped. I agree with his wife.
Hell, people in my own family still refer to Ray Lewis as a murderer, when all he was was a material witness and never under suspicion. I know that Big Ben was a clown and a butthead, but am unconvinced that he ever raped anybody. The only thing I'm sure of is that a couple women made a lot of money.
Yeah, I guess you see my true colors. I hate lynch-mobs in general, and instinctively check them, regardless of who it is.
But now here we go: Those guys got what they got, and now OUR CLEVELAND BROWNS guy might get suspended for a year for walking through the wrong room or getting in the wrong car.
ARE YOU KIDDING?
This is one of the reasons our founders set up our legal system the way they did. A defendant opting for a jury trial gets to appeal to a jury's intelligence and common sense. Common sense has everything to do with the spirit, or intent of the law, and hanging judges don't.
It's too bad there's no jury in this case. It's too bad Josh is a Cleveland Brown.
At least Goodell must also be interested in making money, and not looking stupid or incompetent. Josh Gordon sells tickets, and to stick to the letter of the law would make him look assenine.
As Grossi said, Josh has a shot at coming down with this one too...despite being a Brown. Good luck, Kid!
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Art Modell and Pee Brains
Thank you so much, you subhuman piece of crap, for once again making Browns fans all look like monkeys.
Art Modell was DRIVEN out of Cleveland. The Indians got a new stadium. The Cavs got a new arena. The Browns got the finger.
Art Modell was viciously and personally attacked by everybody throughout the media. Among his worst "offenses" was the hiring of that idiot Bill Belichick.
Modell's biggest fault was his generosity. He couldn't stand by and let the Cleveland Clinic go out of business. He gave way too much of his own money away--probably a lot of it to the sub-humans who wanted him dead, and maybe came back to piss on his grave.
Unlike other owners, the Browns was all he had, and he was going broke. That stadium leaked urine from the johns. Grass wouldn't grow on the field because it had been built on a landfill and swamp-gas percolated up. They painted the dirt green. Muni stadium--not the city--was called the mistake on the lake. It was falling apart, and while fans like this pee-brain were burning Art in effigy, the city fathers were telling him to watch them build new facilities for everybody but him, and be a good sport.
If YOU are dumb enough to think that "loyalty" to a bunch of people who treat you like that is more important than self-respect, there is something deeply wrong with you. I would have moved the team, too. If you're honest, so would you. So would Jesus. Admit it.
You mindless, gaping rectum. I hope you get every day of two years in jail, then get hit by a car on your way out. Then die.
Well, I told you the whole Gordon thing was fishy. Now I get it. He probably sat in a car in which one of the clowns he shouldn't have been hanging out with HAD BEEN smoking a doobie, and inhaled enough to impinge on the rediculously low threshhold.
They'll bring in a doctor, and it's a slam-dunk: Yes that's either he got high two weeks ago or second-hand--and count on it: his previous tests will pretty much rule out his ever having got high.
It's all a bunch of crap, but they'll probably feel like they've got to suspend him anyway, so they'll say it's for the dui.
I also told you that Kirksey would play outside in the 4-3, Mingo would cover, Gray would be used all over the place and would not be cut (duh), and a whole bunch of other stuff nobody else told you is any of this sinking in yet?
Now that I've calmed down, one last word for the pee-brain: Read the first part of this again, idiot.
Art Modell was DRIVEN out of Cleveland. The Indians got a new stadium. The Cavs got a new arena. The Browns got the finger.
Art Modell was viciously and personally attacked by everybody throughout the media. Among his worst "offenses" was the hiring of that idiot Bill Belichick.
Modell's biggest fault was his generosity. He couldn't stand by and let the Cleveland Clinic go out of business. He gave way too much of his own money away--probably a lot of it to the sub-humans who wanted him dead, and maybe came back to piss on his grave.
Unlike other owners, the Browns was all he had, and he was going broke. That stadium leaked urine from the johns. Grass wouldn't grow on the field because it had been built on a landfill and swamp-gas percolated up. They painted the dirt green. Muni stadium--not the city--was called the mistake on the lake. It was falling apart, and while fans like this pee-brain were burning Art in effigy, the city fathers were telling him to watch them build new facilities for everybody but him, and be a good sport.
If YOU are dumb enough to think that "loyalty" to a bunch of people who treat you like that is more important than self-respect, there is something deeply wrong with you. I would have moved the team, too. If you're honest, so would you. So would Jesus. Admit it.
You mindless, gaping rectum. I hope you get every day of two years in jail, then get hit by a car on your way out. Then die.
Well, I told you the whole Gordon thing was fishy. Now I get it. He probably sat in a car in which one of the clowns he shouldn't have been hanging out with HAD BEEN smoking a doobie, and inhaled enough to impinge on the rediculously low threshhold.
They'll bring in a doctor, and it's a slam-dunk: Yes that's either he got high two weeks ago or second-hand--and count on it: his previous tests will pretty much rule out his ever having got high.
It's all a bunch of crap, but they'll probably feel like they've got to suspend him anyway, so they'll say it's for the dui.
I also told you that Kirksey would play outside in the 4-3, Mingo would cover, Gray would be used all over the place and would not be cut (duh), and a whole bunch of other stuff nobody else told you is any of this sinking in yet?
Now that I've calmed down, one last word for the pee-brain: Read the first part of this again, idiot.
Sunday, July 27, 2014
Good Stuff Lane
Lane Adkins of the OBR is really good at filtering through a lot of statements by players and coaches in order to get a real picture of what's going on with the Browns.
Unlike other writers, I don't believe Lane just makes things up. I believe that these real insiders trust him not to identify them, and are glad to get things off their chest.
You can use the link to see his full article. As you'll see, it's very long, and if he had expounded on individual comments, it would have turned into War and Peace.
Happily, you have this intelligent analyst to pick through and expound on stuff he was, as usual, right about! Let the copy/pasting begin:
"It's only one-day, but Austin looked like he did back in Dallas when he was tremendous."
Duh. Austin has had persistent hamstring issues over the last couple seasons, but whoever carved in stone that these were permanent isn't rational. He could yet have more physical problems, but then again he might be fully healed now and stay that way.
If he does, he's still young enough to kick butt in Shanahan's system.
I repeat: Duh.
"(John) Greco is going to have his hands full with (Garrett) Gilkey at RG. The young dude is motivated."
I really like Greco, but as I've said before, both Gilkey and MaQuistan, not to mention Faulk, are better fits for a zone-blocking system. Somebody--maybe even Lane--earlier talked about Greco as a good fit because he gets off the line well.
Greco does, but the real skill "fits" are speed and agility. Greco is a beast in a man system, but the other guys are a little better than he is in space.
I told you that Gilkey played basketball, and that these coaches would give the youngest guys every opportunity. Even if Greco and Gilkey grade out the same, the kid will get the nod. That's how you build a team to last.
There are other quotes which seem to have been edited out by the time I went back to the article. One was a coach or player addressing assertions that Manziel had "regressed". "Horse----" was among the words chosen.
Rookie quarterbacks coming out of sandlot systems, and with limited experience even in these, can't regress.
Words mean things, and some people should not be allowed to use some of them. "Regress" is an impressive-sounding word which some people latch onto and use as often as possible--without comprehending it's definition, or the correct context.
Manziel's lack of experience in any pro system is simply showing up in contrast to the much more accomplished Hoyer.
Many people have made up their minds about Brian Hoyer, and can't grasp the notion that he is more than a career backup or game manager. Therefore, if the great Manziel is not ahead of Hoyer already, it must mean that there is something wrong with Johnny. I mean, since it couldn't possibly be anything right with Hoyer, ya know?
Tony Grossi pretty much destroyed this Hoolie (or something) guy on WKNR. The talking head said that Hoyer was a game manager and career backup, and Tony pointed out that he wasn't managing anything in his two wins.
Hoyer didn't have anybody to hand off to, and had to win both games with his arm.
What's-his-name, rather than admit that he had just been corrected, changed the subject. Typical.
LATE insertion: I had forgotten that among Lane's comments were one about Phil Taylor. Can't recall exact words, but it was colorful and implied that he was misused last season under Ray Horton.
This can only mean that he was a two-gap nose tackle, and wasn't allowed to attack. The Browns have two other players who could do the human fire-hydrant stuff just fine, and if this is how Ray used Phil, that was really dumb. But I'm not sure.
Also in Lane's article was more on the Gordon suspension. As I've suspected since TJ Ward's comments ("there's more to it" or something), there's more to it.
There is a reason why it's taking so long to get resolved. The possible reasons include that Josh might have just missed an appointment which, under the rules, defaults to a failed test. If he had a legit reason for missing (like being detained for a speeding ticket haha), he's got a point.
It could also be one of the common things--like drinking the wrong herbal tea (the NFL is kind of rediculous about this stuff).
Or, it could be that he had a salad with too much apple cider vinegar and got popped for using a "masking agent".
He'll be suspended alright, but it might not be for a year. Now put down the rope and step away.
Lane says they're using a lot of two tight end stuff, and moving Cameron around more than ever. Marqueis Gray is sort of a FB/HB guy and the other guys are in-line blockers.
I just need to point this out: I cannot believe that Shanahan will use any tight end who can't catch. Whoever has the blocking role will have be able to make clutch catches here and there.
This is just common sense. If all a tight end does is block, then screw the pretense and use a tackle.
With no Gordon, Hawkins and Cameron are enough to give defenses hell, and from among Austin, Burleson, and CHARLES JOHNSON two and three-reciever sets are workable at least.
The San Fran 49ers use only ONE wide reciever 40% of the time. Get it?
Unlike other writers, I don't believe Lane just makes things up. I believe that these real insiders trust him not to identify them, and are glad to get things off their chest.
You can use the link to see his full article. As you'll see, it's very long, and if he had expounded on individual comments, it would have turned into War and Peace.
Happily, you have this intelligent analyst to pick through and expound on stuff he was, as usual, right about! Let the copy/pasting begin:
"It's only one-day, but Austin looked like he did back in Dallas when he was tremendous."
Duh. Austin has had persistent hamstring issues over the last couple seasons, but whoever carved in stone that these were permanent isn't rational. He could yet have more physical problems, but then again he might be fully healed now and stay that way.
If he does, he's still young enough to kick butt in Shanahan's system.
I repeat: Duh.
"(John) Greco is going to have his hands full with (Garrett) Gilkey at RG. The young dude is motivated."
I really like Greco, but as I've said before, both Gilkey and MaQuistan, not to mention Faulk, are better fits for a zone-blocking system. Somebody--maybe even Lane--earlier talked about Greco as a good fit because he gets off the line well.
Greco does, but the real skill "fits" are speed and agility. Greco is a beast in a man system, but the other guys are a little better than he is in space.
I told you that Gilkey played basketball, and that these coaches would give the youngest guys every opportunity. Even if Greco and Gilkey grade out the same, the kid will get the nod. That's how you build a team to last.
There are other quotes which seem to have been edited out by the time I went back to the article. One was a coach or player addressing assertions that Manziel had "regressed". "Horse----" was among the words chosen.
Rookie quarterbacks coming out of sandlot systems, and with limited experience even in these, can't regress.
Words mean things, and some people should not be allowed to use some of them. "Regress" is an impressive-sounding word which some people latch onto and use as often as possible--without comprehending it's definition, or the correct context.
Manziel's lack of experience in any pro system is simply showing up in contrast to the much more accomplished Hoyer.
Many people have made up their minds about Brian Hoyer, and can't grasp the notion that he is more than a career backup or game manager. Therefore, if the great Manziel is not ahead of Hoyer already, it must mean that there is something wrong with Johnny. I mean, since it couldn't possibly be anything right with Hoyer, ya know?
Tony Grossi pretty much destroyed this Hoolie (or something) guy on WKNR. The talking head said that Hoyer was a game manager and career backup, and Tony pointed out that he wasn't managing anything in his two wins.
Hoyer didn't have anybody to hand off to, and had to win both games with his arm.
What's-his-name, rather than admit that he had just been corrected, changed the subject. Typical.
LATE insertion: I had forgotten that among Lane's comments were one about Phil Taylor. Can't recall exact words, but it was colorful and implied that he was misused last season under Ray Horton.
This can only mean that he was a two-gap nose tackle, and wasn't allowed to attack. The Browns have two other players who could do the human fire-hydrant stuff just fine, and if this is how Ray used Phil, that was really dumb. But I'm not sure.
Also in Lane's article was more on the Gordon suspension. As I've suspected since TJ Ward's comments ("there's more to it" or something), there's more to it.
There is a reason why it's taking so long to get resolved. The possible reasons include that Josh might have just missed an appointment which, under the rules, defaults to a failed test. If he had a legit reason for missing (like being detained for a speeding ticket haha), he's got a point.
It could also be one of the common things--like drinking the wrong herbal tea (the NFL is kind of rediculous about this stuff).
Or, it could be that he had a salad with too much apple cider vinegar and got popped for using a "masking agent".
He'll be suspended alright, but it might not be for a year. Now put down the rope and step away.
Lane says they're using a lot of two tight end stuff, and moving Cameron around more than ever. Marqueis Gray is sort of a FB/HB guy and the other guys are in-line blockers.
I just need to point this out: I cannot believe that Shanahan will use any tight end who can't catch. Whoever has the blocking role will have be able to make clutch catches here and there.
This is just common sense. If all a tight end does is block, then screw the pretense and use a tackle.
With no Gordon, Hawkins and Cameron are enough to give defenses hell, and from among Austin, Burleson, and CHARLES JOHNSON two and three-reciever sets are workable at least.
The San Fran 49ers use only ONE wide reciever 40% of the time. Get it?
Thursday, July 24, 2014
Carucci, Grossi, the UFO Defense, Opened Eyes
Mike Carucci made me happy the other day in an article he wrote on the Browns defensive line.
...Well, Mike is a master of understatement, and said that some people might even call this group one of the better defensive lines in the league...jeez.
But at least it has begun to hint at a dawn on him that it's just barely concievably possible that Billy Winn might miraculously unseat the great Rubin at defensive end...as impossible as that sounds.
It's a little thing, but I know that Mike isn't among the lowlives who mine this blog for material that they use without attribution. Mike has a brain of his own, and I suspect even a sense of honor. It's nice to see that some other analysts can actually think.
But Mike still misses the broader point: He listed personel for a 3-4 defensive line, but this will be the UFO defense. I don't believe it will have any particular base.
Rubin, assuming his salary doesn't force some move, is one of the reasons. He's a very smart player with great instincts. The problem is that he's best suited to play a 4-3 DT or a 3-4 NT, and this team has a load of those.
Taylor is the top one, but Hughes and Kitchen are two more--Hughes more a DT than on the nose. Mike mentioned that they can play DE too. In a dire emergency, they could. Pray that nothing happens to Bryant, Bryant, Winn, Rubin, and Taylor all at the same time, because that's not a pretty thought.
The coaches will want to get Rubin on the field, and actually to use the slower, less talented Hughes where he can be effective.
I could go on: Kirksey and the new/improved Roberts can play ILB or weakside OLB. Mike still has Armonte Bryant at DE, but he may be standing up sometimes, and is first and foremost a passrusher who doesn't fit a 3-4 DE profile.
Sheard has been a 4-3 DE and 3-4 OLB who isn't great in coverage. Kruger is similar. Desmond Bryant can play defensive tackle, especially against the pass, or 3-4 DE.
Running a 3-4 base with this talent would waste it. There are too many defensive linemen, and also too many OLB's who can be 4-3 passrushing defensive ends.
Then there's Mingo. Finally, a coach has dared to (sort of) say it: Mingo can cover in space, and will some times be used in that role. Mingo could be the missing piece for a 4-3 linebacking corps, as he could remain on the field as the strongside linebacker.
Laugh at me now but believe me later, box-boy.
Anyway Mike wrote a good article, except for assuming that these coaches would play Armonte Bryant at 3-4 DE simply because the last coaches intended to.
On that: This is common sense. Armonte at that position is a cut, because there are too many of them on the roster. Armonte at 4-3 DE/3-4 OLB is depth at worst, because there is room for him there.
These coaches have made it clear that they want the best players, and to play all their best players, however they can do it. For Bryant and Rubin, a whole lot of 4-3 is that way.
Tony Grossi listed the top Browns in order.
Tony differs from many in listing Jabaal Sheard at number five. I'm not sure whether or not I agree, but I do notice that he has already been a starting and productive 4-3 DE, and that last season was his first as a 3-4 OLB. He should be better in both roles now.
Then, he lists BRYAN HOYER at 10!!! He writes that Hoyer will open eyes nationally! You GO, TONY! This is Tony bucking the trend and putting his rep on the line (sorta). It's about freaking time a local writer made a firm statement about this guy without three pages of disclaimers.
At 11, Desmond Bryant. Remember him? He's fixed now. He kicks ass.
OH! OH! At 14 Tashaun Gipson!!! "Joe Haden calls him the most underrated player on the team". WOW a writer who listens to a player?
Below that, it sort of doesn't matter, but I like Tony's rankings generally.
Especially Hoyer. It's not hard to compare him to Manziel by category.
At THIS point in time, experience is all Hoyer. He ran scout teams for the Patriots, meaning that he ran every system known to man vs. their number one defense. Jim Miller, when talking about Kelly Holcomb, pointed out that running scout teams is an excellent way for a quarterback to develop skills and learn to read defenses.
He also mentioned that Holcomb learned from Manning. Hoyer learned from Brady.
It goes farther back. Hoyer was a quarterback for Saint Ignatius all along, whereas Manziel was a wide reciever at his highschool. Hoyer played more college games. It's not even close.
Manziel is more athletic, but that's all he's got on Hoyer. Hoyer now has a strong arm as well. Hoyer has proven that he can read NFL defenses quickly (and not be fooled). He ran a more sophisticated highshool and college offense, while Johnny ran a sandlot team.
Among national analysts (Jim Miller and Solomon Willcotts excepted) the consensus calls Hoyer a seat-warmer at best for Manziel, but they're full of it.
I can't call them stupid, because they are actual experts who know their business. But they know that the Browns would become less boring with Manziel. They really don't care whether the Browns win or lose.
It's a chain, see? Because the Browns bore them, they don't research them. Because they don't research them, they think they'll still suck. Because they think they'll still suck, they think you might as well get the kid in there so he'll be ready when the Browns don't suck anymore.
If Manziel were the starter, THEN they'd actually pay attention to the roster. THEN they'd say "where did all THESE guys come from?"
...Well, Mike is a master of understatement, and said that some people might even call this group one of the better defensive lines in the league...jeez.
But at least it has begun to hint at a dawn on him that it's just barely concievably possible that Billy Winn might miraculously unseat the great Rubin at defensive end...as impossible as that sounds.
It's a little thing, but I know that Mike isn't among the lowlives who mine this blog for material that they use without attribution. Mike has a brain of his own, and I suspect even a sense of honor. It's nice to see that some other analysts can actually think.
But Mike still misses the broader point: He listed personel for a 3-4 defensive line, but this will be the UFO defense. I don't believe it will have any particular base.
Rubin, assuming his salary doesn't force some move, is one of the reasons. He's a very smart player with great instincts. The problem is that he's best suited to play a 4-3 DT or a 3-4 NT, and this team has a load of those.
Taylor is the top one, but Hughes and Kitchen are two more--Hughes more a DT than on the nose. Mike mentioned that they can play DE too. In a dire emergency, they could. Pray that nothing happens to Bryant, Bryant, Winn, Rubin, and Taylor all at the same time, because that's not a pretty thought.
The coaches will want to get Rubin on the field, and actually to use the slower, less talented Hughes where he can be effective.
I could go on: Kirksey and the new/improved Roberts can play ILB or weakside OLB. Mike still has Armonte Bryant at DE, but he may be standing up sometimes, and is first and foremost a passrusher who doesn't fit a 3-4 DE profile.
Sheard has been a 4-3 DE and 3-4 OLB who isn't great in coverage. Kruger is similar. Desmond Bryant can play defensive tackle, especially against the pass, or 3-4 DE.
Running a 3-4 base with this talent would waste it. There are too many defensive linemen, and also too many OLB's who can be 4-3 passrushing defensive ends.
Then there's Mingo. Finally, a coach has dared to (sort of) say it: Mingo can cover in space, and will some times be used in that role. Mingo could be the missing piece for a 4-3 linebacking corps, as he could remain on the field as the strongside linebacker.
Laugh at me now but believe me later, box-boy.
Anyway Mike wrote a good article, except for assuming that these coaches would play Armonte Bryant at 3-4 DE simply because the last coaches intended to.
On that: This is common sense. Armonte at that position is a cut, because there are too many of them on the roster. Armonte at 4-3 DE/3-4 OLB is depth at worst, because there is room for him there.
These coaches have made it clear that they want the best players, and to play all their best players, however they can do it. For Bryant and Rubin, a whole lot of 4-3 is that way.
Tony Grossi listed the top Browns in order.
Tony differs from many in listing Jabaal Sheard at number five. I'm not sure whether or not I agree, but I do notice that he has already been a starting and productive 4-3 DE, and that last season was his first as a 3-4 OLB. He should be better in both roles now.
Then, he lists BRYAN HOYER at 10!!! He writes that Hoyer will open eyes nationally! You GO, TONY! This is Tony bucking the trend and putting his rep on the line (sorta). It's about freaking time a local writer made a firm statement about this guy without three pages of disclaimers.
At 11, Desmond Bryant. Remember him? He's fixed now. He kicks ass.
OH! OH! At 14 Tashaun Gipson!!! "Joe Haden calls him the most underrated player on the team". WOW a writer who listens to a player?
Below that, it sort of doesn't matter, but I like Tony's rankings generally.
Especially Hoyer. It's not hard to compare him to Manziel by category.
At THIS point in time, experience is all Hoyer. He ran scout teams for the Patriots, meaning that he ran every system known to man vs. their number one defense. Jim Miller, when talking about Kelly Holcomb, pointed out that running scout teams is an excellent way for a quarterback to develop skills and learn to read defenses.
He also mentioned that Holcomb learned from Manning. Hoyer learned from Brady.
It goes farther back. Hoyer was a quarterback for Saint Ignatius all along, whereas Manziel was a wide reciever at his highschool. Hoyer played more college games. It's not even close.
Manziel is more athletic, but that's all he's got on Hoyer. Hoyer now has a strong arm as well. Hoyer has proven that he can read NFL defenses quickly (and not be fooled). He ran a more sophisticated highshool and college offense, while Johnny ran a sandlot team.
Among national analysts (Jim Miller and Solomon Willcotts excepted) the consensus calls Hoyer a seat-warmer at best for Manziel, but they're full of it.
I can't call them stupid, because they are actual experts who know their business. But they know that the Browns would become less boring with Manziel. They really don't care whether the Browns win or lose.
It's a chain, see? Because the Browns bore them, they don't research them. Because they don't research them, they think they'll still suck. Because they think they'll still suck, they think you might as well get the kid in there so he'll be ready when the Browns don't suck anymore.
If Manziel were the starter, THEN they'd actually pay attention to the roster. THEN they'd say "where did all THESE guys come from?"
Monday, July 14, 2014
A Rare Example of Objectivity
Mike Wilkening of PFT explains ranking the Cleveland Browns' 22nd Power Ranking, and I'm still stunned that I couldn't find any stupidity or ignorance anywhere in his article!
Anybody who thinks I'm a homer needs to read this article!
The important things are:
1: He wonders how good Hoyer can be (rather than defaulting to the ole' toilet-flush), and admits that he doesn't know about Manziel either. THAT is FAIR.
2: Mike precisley and accurately lists each and every strength of this team, in depth. He describes a talented team which ought to rank pretty high, but cites questions at quarterback as the big drawback.
And--okay, Mike wasn't perfect, because he seems to think that Big Ben can beat the Browns despite a roster full of has-beens and bums. Also, he points out that the Ravens have re-tooled.
The Ravens have indeed re-tooled, but didn't have the cap-space to fill the holes. They have weaknesses. Doctor Evil has done a great job with what he had, as usual, but the Ravens aren't all that anymore.
But with all the chanting and mantras filling the air, I can't fault Mike for letting some of the mystical hypnotic superstitious crap penetrate his brain and contaminate his thoughts. I'm used to it, and am still a big fan of this writer!
The 22 ranking doesn't bother me. It seems low to me, but you can't knock the guy when quarterback is far from settled. If the Browns' quarterback isn't better than Campbell or Weeden, we'll indeed get more of the same crap.
I credit Mike for ranking them as high as he did, as it seems to reflect at least a little respect for the home town boy and/or Mister Selfie.
You rank the Browns 30th, you are a cretin. You rank them 22nd and make an intelligent case, you're my hero. You go, Mike!
Anybody who thinks I'm a homer needs to read this article!
The important things are:
1: He wonders how good Hoyer can be (rather than defaulting to the ole' toilet-flush), and admits that he doesn't know about Manziel either. THAT is FAIR.
2: Mike precisley and accurately lists each and every strength of this team, in depth. He describes a talented team which ought to rank pretty high, but cites questions at quarterback as the big drawback.
And--okay, Mike wasn't perfect, because he seems to think that Big Ben can beat the Browns despite a roster full of has-beens and bums. Also, he points out that the Ravens have re-tooled.
The Ravens have indeed re-tooled, but didn't have the cap-space to fill the holes. They have weaknesses. Doctor Evil has done a great job with what he had, as usual, but the Ravens aren't all that anymore.
But with all the chanting and mantras filling the air, I can't fault Mike for letting some of the mystical hypnotic superstitious crap penetrate his brain and contaminate his thoughts. I'm used to it, and am still a big fan of this writer!
The 22 ranking doesn't bother me. It seems low to me, but you can't knock the guy when quarterback is far from settled. If the Browns' quarterback isn't better than Campbell or Weeden, we'll indeed get more of the same crap.
I credit Mike for ranking them as high as he did, as it seems to reflect at least a little respect for the home town boy and/or Mister Selfie.
You rank the Browns 30th, you are a cretin. You rank them 22nd and make an intelligent case, you're my hero. You go, Mike!
Sunday, July 13, 2014
Browns' Talent Evaluation Corrections
I found this article by Jared Mueller on Fansided. Jared looked over the AFC North offenses position-by-position and listed the guys he felt were the best players.
I can't bash Jared much, as he seemed to be trying to be even-handed and objective. He was also mostly correct.
Where I ran into problems with this article was at running back and left guard. He picks Gio Bernard as the top running back, and feels that Ray Rice should come back strong. He mentions La'Veon Bell. He doesn't seem aware of Ben Tate or the other two Browns running backs.
Bernard and Rice are really good, so I was willing to accept that, but La'Veon Bell is being overrated simply because of the team he plays for, and really isn't even the Steelers best running back anymore. THREE Browns running backs are better than Bell.
This writer even concludes that the AFC North as a whole doesn't look like a strong running division.
Nor should Jared ignore the systems the respective backs will be running out of, or the intentions of their offensive coordinators. All three of the Browns main running backs are tailor-made for the zone scheme.
Then, Jared doesn't even mention any Brown at left guard. He sort of dismissed the position for the Browns because he saw it as unsettled. Joel Bitonio was drafted in the second round, is ideally suited for this position in any blocking scheme, and has every chance to be the best left guard in the division.
I think Jared might be the Bill O'Reilly of football. Possibly on his first pass, he got five or six Browns (instead of four) on his list, and had to go back to even things out.
Being objective isn't about seeming to be "fair", but about reality--and damn the torpedos.
I can give the Ravens or Bengals the running back, since that's debatable, but I won't give anybody else left guard. Bitonio is an athletic beast, and he's ready for primetime right now.
Browns: Left tackle, left guard, center, and tight end. It's still four, because Jared listed Josh Gordon, who won't play. The Bengals still get four, because AJ Green was behind Gordon.
The Steelers and Ravens can have quarterback, running back, and whatever.
Talent-wise, that's about right: The Browns and Bengals do have the most offensive talent overall.
The bad thing is that I can't objectively rank the as-yet unconfirmed Hoyer or the not ready for primetime Manziel above four until they've got some more games under their belt.
Big Ben and Big Bird are elite quarterbacks. Andy Dalton might not be all that at this point, but has won a whole lot of games, and has AJ Green and other excellent recievers to help him look good.
While I can't rank HOYER above four based exclusively on what he showed in slightly over two games last season, I do still feel that he might well be another Kelly Holcomb or Brian Sipe.
The reasons I feel the Browns will contend for the title are that a merely efficient quarterback can move this team up and down the field, and the defense should dominate, and score points itself. They're eyeball deep in returners as well. The overall combination indicates a lot of good field position.
At least Jared didn't bend over backwards to give the Ravens and Steelers more credit than they're due.
Solid B, Jared. Keep trying.
I can't bash Jared much, as he seemed to be trying to be even-handed and objective. He was also mostly correct.
Where I ran into problems with this article was at running back and left guard. He picks Gio Bernard as the top running back, and feels that Ray Rice should come back strong. He mentions La'Veon Bell. He doesn't seem aware of Ben Tate or the other two Browns running backs.
Bernard and Rice are really good, so I was willing to accept that, but La'Veon Bell is being overrated simply because of the team he plays for, and really isn't even the Steelers best running back anymore. THREE Browns running backs are better than Bell.
This writer even concludes that the AFC North as a whole doesn't look like a strong running division.
Nor should Jared ignore the systems the respective backs will be running out of, or the intentions of their offensive coordinators. All three of the Browns main running backs are tailor-made for the zone scheme.
Then, Jared doesn't even mention any Brown at left guard. He sort of dismissed the position for the Browns because he saw it as unsettled. Joel Bitonio was drafted in the second round, is ideally suited for this position in any blocking scheme, and has every chance to be the best left guard in the division.
I think Jared might be the Bill O'Reilly of football. Possibly on his first pass, he got five or six Browns (instead of four) on his list, and had to go back to even things out.
Being objective isn't about seeming to be "fair", but about reality--and damn the torpedos.
I can give the Ravens or Bengals the running back, since that's debatable, but I won't give anybody else left guard. Bitonio is an athletic beast, and he's ready for primetime right now.
Browns: Left tackle, left guard, center, and tight end. It's still four, because Jared listed Josh Gordon, who won't play. The Bengals still get four, because AJ Green was behind Gordon.
The Steelers and Ravens can have quarterback, running back, and whatever.
Talent-wise, that's about right: The Browns and Bengals do have the most offensive talent overall.
The bad thing is that I can't objectively rank the as-yet unconfirmed Hoyer or the not ready for primetime Manziel above four until they've got some more games under their belt.
Big Ben and Big Bird are elite quarterbacks. Andy Dalton might not be all that at this point, but has won a whole lot of games, and has AJ Green and other excellent recievers to help him look good.
While I can't rank HOYER above four based exclusively on what he showed in slightly over two games last season, I do still feel that he might well be another Kelly Holcomb or Brian Sipe.
The reasons I feel the Browns will contend for the title are that a merely efficient quarterback can move this team up and down the field, and the defense should dominate, and score points itself. They're eyeball deep in returners as well. The overall combination indicates a lot of good field position.
At least Jared didn't bend over backwards to give the Ravens and Steelers more credit than they're due.
Solid B, Jared. Keep trying.
Andre Johnson, the Cleveland Browns, and the Gordion Not
Late Note: Johnson isn't a Jaguar. Or a Jagwire. I'm not going to bother correcting it.
Ross Tucker sees the Cleveland Browns as a realistic landing spot for Andre Johnson.
Initially, the Browns were being ruled out by MM's because they were percieved not to be very good this coming season. I've gone point-by-point using logic and facts to explain why this is a stupid assumption. It's largely based on mysticism, superstition, and emotion.
But I digress: Johnson's situation has changed. He had reconsidered his unreasonable stance with his team, but, after missing offseason workouts, now wants to get his one million dollar workout bonus to report.
The Jags are understandably refusing.
Johnson's options have diminished now, and the Browns are one of the few teams with the cap space to take on his huge contract.
One fool suggested trading Josh Gordon and a sixth round pick. Not gonna happen. Gordon is young, and a once-in-a-generation kind of talent. At his salary, even it you regard the odds as against his getting his head out and resuming his career, Ray simply can't throw him away.
Imagine his making any such trade, or releasing him, and Gordon in 2015 setting all sorts of new NFL records for another team. Ray's not going to do it.
The Jags think they have leverage, but not really. They'll want a first round pick and stuff, but they won't get it. The Browns et al need a wide reciever, but Johnson is 33 years old and overpriced for that age.
Many point to his performance just last season. I have to remind them that he was 32 then. Now he's 33, and next season he'll be 34. The Browns can't just "rent" him for one season and dump him without eating the guaranteed money.
Johnson may well have another great season in him, and even at 34 remain a viable reciever, but even at that, Ray has to wonder if he's worth that commitment-especially if he believes that Gordon will come back next season.
Especially not when he has to re-sign Jordon Cameron, who's changed his twitter account to read "pass-catcher", and already has his gun, ski mask, and Brinks truck ready.
However, if he and the coaches think that Johnson could make the difference between 8-8 and 10-6, they've got to look at it, and at least talk to the parties to see if something can be worked out.
Andre Johnson has been a quiet and solid guy for his whole career, but right now is being a butthead. The Jags were more than fair with him with his contract, and it is a contract. There is no language in there promising him a Pro Bowl quarterback or a winning record. A deal is a deal, and he's reneged.
Many fans ignore all this stuff, but Ray Farmer can't.
Most likely, he'll see if he can modify Johnson's contract to front-load his cap hit, pay him less in the out-years, and reduce those guarantees.
This might work, since greedy players really like getting overpaid up front.
He might start with a 4th and 6th round offer to the Jags. They might laugh at him and hang up. Then sit there staring at the phone waiting for him to call back. Not laughing anymore. Then call him back.
But most likely, he'll cave on the workout bonus and return to the Jags, which is ok.
The Browns don't have bad recievers. They've just got old, and young unproven ones. They're neck deep in home-run-hitting slot guys, and have one of the best tight ends on the NFL.
Nobody here can replace Josh Gordon, and the offense can't be as good without him as it is with him. But it's not all black and white, and a West Coast scheme doesn't require a stud like him to work.
As for Josh Gordon, MADD and other groups have made society a little insane. While sticking the kid in rehab is a good idea on general principles, we're getting irrational about how bad this is. He's not addicted to crack or heroin. He had grounds for appeal.
We don't know what this suspension is about, and he blew .09. Whether you admit it or not, nearly all of you would have blown that many times, had you been pulled over. This might have been two light beers in an hour or so.
No, I'm not making excuses. He's stupid for hanging around with hoods, and the local cops probably had the plates of that car on a watch-list. They probably thought they were pulling over the vehicle's owner.
But he's just a kid, and hasn't yet done anything that the vast majority of us haven't done.
I understand that these guys are role models, and the commissioner has to take a hard line on these things. That's fine--it's business. But fans are getting hysterical about Josh Gordon the person. I repeat: It's not crack or heroine.
He has to stay clean and stop hanging around with shady characters. Appearances aside, Gordon is actually a pretty smart young guy, and as most of us know from experience, it doesn't take a lot of discipline to avoid the heathen devil weed or call a cab.
D'Qwell Jackson is a great dude, and what he said about his friend was good stuff. But this too is being misinterpreted. He really just meant that Josh was losing a ton of money, and is now close to a lifetime ban. What he said wasn't about drug addiction. It was about the end of his career.
Ray Farmer won't cut or trade him. He's just too damn good.
Now that LeBron James is coming back home, maybe Johnny Manziel will stick around. After all, LeBron is really famous, so he's the perfect guy for Johnny and his cellphone to follow around and take selfies with.
LeBron, I know you have a family and stuff, but please be patient and inulge the kid as much as you can. If you get sick of him and tell him to leave you alone, he'll be off to Las Vegas or Hollywood or something, because there aren't enough celebrities in Cleveland.
Ross Tucker sees the Cleveland Browns as a realistic landing spot for Andre Johnson.
Initially, the Browns were being ruled out by MM's because they were percieved not to be very good this coming season. I've gone point-by-point using logic and facts to explain why this is a stupid assumption. It's largely based on mysticism, superstition, and emotion.
But I digress: Johnson's situation has changed. He had reconsidered his unreasonable stance with his team, but, after missing offseason workouts, now wants to get his one million dollar workout bonus to report.
The Jags are understandably refusing.
Johnson's options have diminished now, and the Browns are one of the few teams with the cap space to take on his huge contract.
One fool suggested trading Josh Gordon and a sixth round pick. Not gonna happen. Gordon is young, and a once-in-a-generation kind of talent. At his salary, even it you regard the odds as against his getting his head out and resuming his career, Ray simply can't throw him away.
Imagine his making any such trade, or releasing him, and Gordon in 2015 setting all sorts of new NFL records for another team. Ray's not going to do it.
The Jags think they have leverage, but not really. They'll want a first round pick and stuff, but they won't get it. The Browns et al need a wide reciever, but Johnson is 33 years old and overpriced for that age.
Many point to his performance just last season. I have to remind them that he was 32 then. Now he's 33, and next season he'll be 34. The Browns can't just "rent" him for one season and dump him without eating the guaranteed money.
Johnson may well have another great season in him, and even at 34 remain a viable reciever, but even at that, Ray has to wonder if he's worth that commitment-especially if he believes that Gordon will come back next season.
Especially not when he has to re-sign Jordon Cameron, who's changed his twitter account to read "pass-catcher", and already has his gun, ski mask, and Brinks truck ready.
However, if he and the coaches think that Johnson could make the difference between 8-8 and 10-6, they've got to look at it, and at least talk to the parties to see if something can be worked out.
Andre Johnson has been a quiet and solid guy for his whole career, but right now is being a butthead. The Jags were more than fair with him with his contract, and it is a contract. There is no language in there promising him a Pro Bowl quarterback or a winning record. A deal is a deal, and he's reneged.
Many fans ignore all this stuff, but Ray Farmer can't.
Most likely, he'll see if he can modify Johnson's contract to front-load his cap hit, pay him less in the out-years, and reduce those guarantees.
This might work, since greedy players really like getting overpaid up front.
He might start with a 4th and 6th round offer to the Jags. They might laugh at him and hang up. Then sit there staring at the phone waiting for him to call back. Not laughing anymore. Then call him back.
But most likely, he'll cave on the workout bonus and return to the Jags, which is ok.
The Browns don't have bad recievers. They've just got old, and young unproven ones. They're neck deep in home-run-hitting slot guys, and have one of the best tight ends on the NFL.
Nobody here can replace Josh Gordon, and the offense can't be as good without him as it is with him. But it's not all black and white, and a West Coast scheme doesn't require a stud like him to work.
As for Josh Gordon, MADD and other groups have made society a little insane. While sticking the kid in rehab is a good idea on general principles, we're getting irrational about how bad this is. He's not addicted to crack or heroin. He had grounds for appeal.
We don't know what this suspension is about, and he blew .09. Whether you admit it or not, nearly all of you would have blown that many times, had you been pulled over. This might have been two light beers in an hour or so.
No, I'm not making excuses. He's stupid for hanging around with hoods, and the local cops probably had the plates of that car on a watch-list. They probably thought they were pulling over the vehicle's owner.
But he's just a kid, and hasn't yet done anything that the vast majority of us haven't done.
I understand that these guys are role models, and the commissioner has to take a hard line on these things. That's fine--it's business. But fans are getting hysterical about Josh Gordon the person. I repeat: It's not crack or heroine.
He has to stay clean and stop hanging around with shady characters. Appearances aside, Gordon is actually a pretty smart young guy, and as most of us know from experience, it doesn't take a lot of discipline to avoid the heathen devil weed or call a cab.
D'Qwell Jackson is a great dude, and what he said about his friend was good stuff. But this too is being misinterpreted. He really just meant that Josh was losing a ton of money, and is now close to a lifetime ban. What he said wasn't about drug addiction. It was about the end of his career.
Ray Farmer won't cut or trade him. He's just too damn good.
Now that LeBron James is coming back home, maybe Johnny Manziel will stick around. After all, LeBron is really famous, so he's the perfect guy for Johnny and his cellphone to follow around and take selfies with.
LeBron, I know you have a family and stuff, but please be patient and inulge the kid as much as you can. If you get sick of him and tell him to leave you alone, he'll be off to Las Vegas or Hollywood or something, because there aren't enough celebrities in Cleveland.
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Johnny Balloon-Head, Browns Analysis Corrections
I'm not concerned about Johnny's partying--just about his apparant mental illness. "Attention-seeking behavior" doesn't sound that bad, but it's a clinical term for a mental condition.
So, Johnny...why is it so important to you that as many people as possible see you as often as possible with every famous person you can find? And how did you get along with your mother?
Johnny, Joe Montana was being diplomatic. What he really meant was that your mug everywhere all the time gets boring after awhile, and pretty soon everybody will be sick of you like I am.
I'd say "grow up", but in your case I gotta say "Get help".
I'm afraid that WHEN this guy doesn't start, he'll go off the deep end. Ever play with your cat by getting it to chase the light from a flashlight? Well that's Johnny with a spotlight. Gimme a break.
"Hoyer's hurt. Johnny! JOHNNY! Where the hell is he?"
"Uh...well...look at the big screen..."
"Are you KIDDING me!? Who is that next to him?"
"Looks like Justin Timberlake."
"Send Benjamin up there to get him back on the damn field ASAP!"
"No need. We'll post to his facebook page. He should see it within ten seconds."
This article in Dawgs by Nature kind of irked me, as it assumed that Billy Winn would back up Rubin at DE.
Why would that taller, faster guy back up the nose tackle at defensive end?
Why don't you get this? I know you got to know and like Rubin first, but he only ever played defensive end because there was nobody else, and because Taylor was the primary nose tackle! He's a defensive tackle or a nose tackle first, and defensive end in a pinch.
Defensive ends even in a 3-4 need more reach and speed, and that's Winn.
Nor is this a "3-4" anymore, really. Pettine/O'Brien will make the most of their talent, and run all sorts of fronts. Winn is a defensive tackle or a 3-4 defensive end. Rubin is a nose tackle or defensive tackle. The defensive line is now stacked, and there's no need to play Rubin out of position.
It also hardly matters who starts. There will be a heavy rotation to keep everybody fresh.
Hey, I like Rubin too. I just know what he is, and what he isn't.
And this just in: The National Bleacher Report ranked the Browns defensive line TWENTY SEVENTH.
Mentally impaired people should not be published, ok? Yeah, they got Rubin as the starter at DE too, so that they can say he's "below average". The guy on Dawgs by Nature either got this from them, or they got it from him.
They said this about Winn: They mentioned his name. The writer said he was a Phil Taylor fan, as if that's unpopular. He had an "off year" last year. Well, he played NOSE TACKLE. What kind of stats were you looking for out of a human fire hydrant?
I'm so sick of these idiots who think 3-4 defensive linemen are supposed to have the same stats as their 4-3 counterparts.
Zero research. As I've said, this season this won't be a true 3-4, and these guys will play different roles. You want bigger things out of Taylor, stay tuned, because he'll be a passrushing tackle in a 4-3 sometimes. Rubin won't play out of position. Desmond Bryant will be back, and--like Winn--will play 3-4 DE and passrushing DT.
In reality, the outside 'backers are part of this formula, as one or both will have their hands in the dirt a lot, and they'll be passrushing. Armonte Bryant is a forgotten factor here. He's similar to Sheard, but faster.
The real reason a top five defensive line is ranked 27th?
They're Cleveland Browns.
So, Johnny...why is it so important to you that as many people as possible see you as often as possible with every famous person you can find? And how did you get along with your mother?
Johnny, Joe Montana was being diplomatic. What he really meant was that your mug everywhere all the time gets boring after awhile, and pretty soon everybody will be sick of you like I am.
I'd say "grow up", but in your case I gotta say "Get help".
I'm afraid that WHEN this guy doesn't start, he'll go off the deep end. Ever play with your cat by getting it to chase the light from a flashlight? Well that's Johnny with a spotlight. Gimme a break.
"Hoyer's hurt. Johnny! JOHNNY! Where the hell is he?"
"Uh...well...look at the big screen..."
"Are you KIDDING me!? Who is that next to him?"
"Looks like Justin Timberlake."
"Send Benjamin up there to get him back on the damn field ASAP!"
"No need. We'll post to his facebook page. He should see it within ten seconds."
This article in Dawgs by Nature kind of irked me, as it assumed that Billy Winn would back up Rubin at DE.
Why would that taller, faster guy back up the nose tackle at defensive end?
Why don't you get this? I know you got to know and like Rubin first, but he only ever played defensive end because there was nobody else, and because Taylor was the primary nose tackle! He's a defensive tackle or a nose tackle first, and defensive end in a pinch.
Defensive ends even in a 3-4 need more reach and speed, and that's Winn.
Nor is this a "3-4" anymore, really. Pettine/O'Brien will make the most of their talent, and run all sorts of fronts. Winn is a defensive tackle or a 3-4 defensive end. Rubin is a nose tackle or defensive tackle. The defensive line is now stacked, and there's no need to play Rubin out of position.
It also hardly matters who starts. There will be a heavy rotation to keep everybody fresh.
Hey, I like Rubin too. I just know what he is, and what he isn't.
And this just in: The National Bleacher Report ranked the Browns defensive line TWENTY SEVENTH.
Mentally impaired people should not be published, ok? Yeah, they got Rubin as the starter at DE too, so that they can say he's "below average". The guy on Dawgs by Nature either got this from them, or they got it from him.
They said this about Winn: They mentioned his name. The writer said he was a Phil Taylor fan, as if that's unpopular. He had an "off year" last year. Well, he played NOSE TACKLE. What kind of stats were you looking for out of a human fire hydrant?
I'm so sick of these idiots who think 3-4 defensive linemen are supposed to have the same stats as their 4-3 counterparts.
Zero research. As I've said, this season this won't be a true 3-4, and these guys will play different roles. You want bigger things out of Taylor, stay tuned, because he'll be a passrushing tackle in a 4-3 sometimes. Rubin won't play out of position. Desmond Bryant will be back, and--like Winn--will play 3-4 DE and passrushing DT.
In reality, the outside 'backers are part of this formula, as one or both will have their hands in the dirt a lot, and they'll be passrushing. Armonte Bryant is a forgotten factor here. He's similar to Sheard, but faster.
The real reason a top five defensive line is ranked 27th?
They're Cleveland Browns.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)