Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Ray: Here are Some Backup Plans for You

In case you can't get Mariota, Garrett Grayson later might be okay after all.  Phil Simms finally weighed in on the guy, and filled in the puzzle for me.

Phil says Grayson does everything well.  Phil's only issue with him is that he's not exceptional at anything.  In Phil's opinion, a great quarterback has to be great in one or two areas.

This sounds kind of fuzzy to me.  Put Montana and Rodgers in the same category: Decisive, accurate, can salvage broken plays on the run.  Big Ben is hard to take down and has a gun.  Brady...well, what does Brady do great?

Peyton Manning: Outsmarts defenses and...and what?

In fact, Brady is a guy who does eveything well.  For him and Manning, a big part of it is the strength of their personality, and their obsession.  They ride their recievers and demand precise routes, moreso than any coach.

Is that one of Phil's traits?  Leadership?  If so, I understand a little better.

But the underlying theory...I'm not sure.  A boxer who does everything well can usually kick everybody else's butt.  So can a golpher.  Tennis player.  Basketball player.  Pitcher.

Grayson is farther along his growth curve than most of the other quarterbacks, however.  He doesn't have the same upside as the other guys.  But, you know what?  I'd take Alex Smith.  He's not chopped liver.  Alex Smith vs. Any Dalton?  Ok!

And it's okay to draft Danny Shelton, but not instead of Cam Erving.

I know, Chris Mortenson recently pointed out that the Browns were 32nd in defense.  Since nobody on NFL Radio corrected him, I know it must be true.

But somehow you have to deal with it, and Erving  is an instant upgrade and center insurance.  If the Browns can count on running the ball and protecting the quarterback, you can get by with a not-Mariota.

If the offense can control the clock and score steady points, you can get by with the worst defense in the NFL.

And then you know, all the mooing and baahing aside, Mike can stop the run with what he has.  And I like Shelton a lot.  Gil Brandt mentions his short-area quickness, and ability to screw up the pass by collapsing the pocket.

But damn...if he's this fat at 22, what about when he ages?  Can his ankles and knees take it much longer?

I can tell, he can't help it.  I'm not bashing the guy.  BUT...

Also I love what Joe Thomas has said about Johnny Manziel.  I don't think you can fool a guy like that, and Joe doesn't say anything he doesn't mean. This is very encouraging.

Not that you shouldn't go hard after Mariota anyway.

Also maybe I shouldn't say this, since you already said it and I want you to get a Charles Johnson-type number one reciever...like you had on your roster...but yeah: Who is Seattle's?  Did New England have one?

Back to Mariota: I heard the Titans also want your second rounder this year. first rounder next year, first-born child, and a key to the executive restroom.

NOW we're in RG3 territory.  Well, that's rediculous, but that's how horse-trading works.  Be like the guy in Pawn Stars and laugh at them.

One player you could include in a trade is Travis Benjamin.  They might ask for Hawkins instead.  You could do that, since Gabriel will be better than both of them.

Or Schwartze, since Micheal Bowie is already here.

If you could get it to the two firsts, Schwartze, and...Manziel and Benjamin.  Bet that would do it.  Maybe the extra fourth rounder this year too if you have to.

Ok now you're ready.  Go get him.  I won't tell anybody I've been telling you what to do, since I'm too humble for that anyway.  You can pretend you thought of it yourself.

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