In this article by Brandon Katz of HNGN, Brandon asks if Brandon Cook might be drafted to replace Johnny Manziel in 2016.
Well, Cook is a really good quarterback, running an NFL-type system, and I don't find that a bad idea whatsoever.
But then Brandon went and spoiled it by saying that this McShea guy had them drafting Cook SECOND OVERALL.
Good grief! Brandon Katz isn't a moron. He's just relaying somebody else's opinion. But jeez, dude--have an opinion! Like McShea is really really dumb, for example!
Elias Fanueff (Sportswe) wonders of Terrelle Pryor can make the final roster and thank you (unless you got the idea from me): Elias for thinking about him as a tight end!
Elias agrees with me that this might be Pryor's best chance here, and he's right. He's rooting for him, but not optimistic. Can't blame him. He's got sooo much lost ground to make up moving to a new position.
I kinda think Elias might be one of those anonymous raiders who steals my ideas without giving me credit for them, but maybe not. Anyway, he also sounds like me in talking about how DeFelippo could well find ways to use him in spot duty right away.
In a much older article I read (prior to Pryor's draft haha), one scout was quoted as saying that Pryor lacked the accuracy to play quarterback in the NFL. That could be correct.
But then the guy goes on to say he's "not a football player", and can't play any other position. I assume that guy's been fired two or more times by now, because that was pure idiocy.
He's a basketball star. He clocked below 4.4. He's 6'5", 240. How the hell can you say the guy can't play football?
Another guy who might just get in Pryor's (and Johnson's) way is Emmanuel Bibbs (Jamie Newburg, Scouting NFL Network). This guy was bothered by injuries, but is a former wide reciever who runs precise routes and can really catch the ball.
I personally kind of expect him to end up (hopefully making it to) the practice squad, but he's really talented, and could derail somebody.
Bibbs is like Malcomb Johnson. Johnson appears a little faster, and but Bibbs is bigger and, at 6'2" a little better-suited to playing in-line. He's a good in-line blocker. These two trade pluses and minuses, but should be used in the same way: H-back/fullback, with a some tight end mixed in.
May the best man win, but for right now I'll bet on Johnson for his speed and lead-blocking.
Late addition: Barnidge and Dray aren't locks. Maybe Johnson and Bibbs both make it.
Brandon Lambert (fansided) sometimes makes me laugh, but here writes a good article on who he thinks might be breakout players in the upcoming season.
Justin Gilbert and Rob Housler were good picks, and Brandon's rationale was good too (once again he sounds like me...hmmm...)
Gilbert just needed to get his head on straight and take some lessons from Joe Haden. Housler should benefit from the two (or three) taller red-zone wide recievers who the defense has to cover.
But listing Mitchell Schwartze was a big reach. Brandon feels that Mitchell should improve on his pass-blocking, and that his run-blocking will be a big help in the running game.
Well, Mitchell enters his fourth year, and has had time to refine his skills. While he's still at a stage where he should keep improving, it can't be by much without leg transplants.
Schwartze doesn't have quick feet. Opposing defenses match up their best passrushers against him, rather than waste them on Joe Thomas. He can refine his skills all he wants, but he simply can't overcome his physical nature.
I don't hate the guy at all, and some of what Brandon says and thinks makes sense. But Schwartze's biggest breakout, if he does start (which I think is 50/50), would be from number 33 to number 25.
He'll still give up more pressures and sacks than any of the other guys.
In Schwartze's place, I would have listed the guy who might well replace him: Cameron Erving.
Brandon, you stand corrected.
I didn't bother trying to write for Dawg Pound Daily this time. They just don't like me, except maybe to do some of their thinking for them without attribution.
But this new writer, Vincent Rapisarti, hit the ground running, and they now have at least one good writer. Blind squirrel.
Anyway, Vince thinks this Browns' offensive line could compare to Dallas', and dominate games. He believes that because of that line, the Browns could contend this season.
How refreshing to hear from the one other person among the fan base with a firm grasp of the obvious.
He even mentions how third-and-long is bad! But if your journeyman quarterback and wide receivers aren't put in that position, that is good. A dominating offensive line can prevent the bad stuff, see?
Not being a smartass here: I haven't read such clarity elsewhere outside of Terry Pluto and this blog. It's right under everybody's nose, and they can't see it! Vince Rapisarti (and I) can!
Great start, Vince! Hope you keep it up!
Saturday, June 27, 2015
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
Terrelle Pryor a No-Brainer
Terrelle Pryor, as he said himself not long ago, doesn't know how to catch. He even said that if he's not a quarterback, he's pretty much done.
Changed his mind, though.
Mary Kay Cabot and others consider Pryor a long shot to make the final roster with good reason. His physical talent is off the charts--in Megatron territory. But he's starting from scratch.
NFL Radio's Pat Kirwan and Jim Miller see him more as a move tight end than a wide receiver, however. The Browns' coaches probably have an open mind about that, and here's the critical part:
A guy who catches passes is a guy who catches passes.
So Pryor won't be competing with just the wide receivers, but also the tight ends/H-backs.
I refuse to offer the link to this crap here, but one analyst called the current corps of Browns wide receivers a "train wreck", which is preposterous. This idiot felt that Pryor has a good chance of making the final roster because everybody else sucks.
No, in reality Pryor has an uphill battle there, but at tight end/H-back it's a little different.
Rob Housler is the move tight end who will do Jordan Cameron stuff.
Malcolm Johnson is the fullback/TE hybrid. Both these guys will also play H-back.
Flip intends to use both of these guys a lot as in-space blockers as well as receivers, and to use blocking tight ends as well in a physical, run-oriented quarterback-friendly offense.
Pryor may never become a great blocker, but has spectacular potential as a pass-catching tight end/H-back.
While he has a ton of lost ground to cover in running precise patterns, getting off bumps, catching and all that, the numbers here give him a puncher's chance.
Especially when you consider all the experiments Flip is trying. Lining Hawkins up in the backfield and even handing off to him? Really? If anybody can find a way to use this guy here and there right out of the gate, it has to be Flip!
It goes without saying that if Pryor does make the roster, he's as likely to throw a pass from anywhere behind the line of scrimmage as he is to run the ball. And Flip could do that over and over again...it never gets old.
Special teams are also not so complex, and Pryor has every chance of contributing there immediately.
Housler and Johnson are not in danger from Pryor, but there could be room for him between them, as it is possible, due to the nature of this scheme, that the Browns retain five "tight ends" (or four tight ends and a fullback, if they call Johnson a fullback).
Another factor here is that move tight ends and H-backs are a little different than receivers. They're often secondary or tertiary targets, and become more valuable when plays and timing break down.
Often they'll go deep between the hash-marks. Timing or precision aren't as critical here, because they're right in front of the quarterback. They're not making any cuts. The quarterback can see them, and adjust.
IF Pryor has good hands (who knows right now?), he can run some of these patterns right away.
As an H-back, he can't be bumped. As a move tight end, he has to be covered by a strong safety or linebacker who can't run with him.
Terrelle Pryor the receiver has a better chance here with Flip than he would on just about any other team.
If he doesn't make it, Ray Farmer will certainly try to sneak him onto the practice squad. And it's at least 50/50 he loses him. Good luck, kid!
Changed his mind, though.
Mary Kay Cabot and others consider Pryor a long shot to make the final roster with good reason. His physical talent is off the charts--in Megatron territory. But he's starting from scratch.
NFL Radio's Pat Kirwan and Jim Miller see him more as a move tight end than a wide receiver, however. The Browns' coaches probably have an open mind about that, and here's the critical part:
A guy who catches passes is a guy who catches passes.
So Pryor won't be competing with just the wide receivers, but also the tight ends/H-backs.
I refuse to offer the link to this crap here, but one analyst called the current corps of Browns wide receivers a "train wreck", which is preposterous. This idiot felt that Pryor has a good chance of making the final roster because everybody else sucks.
No, in reality Pryor has an uphill battle there, but at tight end/H-back it's a little different.
Rob Housler is the move tight end who will do Jordan Cameron stuff.
Malcolm Johnson is the fullback/TE hybrid. Both these guys will also play H-back.
Flip intends to use both of these guys a lot as in-space blockers as well as receivers, and to use blocking tight ends as well in a physical, run-oriented quarterback-friendly offense.
Pryor may never become a great blocker, but has spectacular potential as a pass-catching tight end/H-back.
While he has a ton of lost ground to cover in running precise patterns, getting off bumps, catching and all that, the numbers here give him a puncher's chance.
Especially when you consider all the experiments Flip is trying. Lining Hawkins up in the backfield and even handing off to him? Really? If anybody can find a way to use this guy here and there right out of the gate, it has to be Flip!
It goes without saying that if Pryor does make the roster, he's as likely to throw a pass from anywhere behind the line of scrimmage as he is to run the ball. And Flip could do that over and over again...it never gets old.
Special teams are also not so complex, and Pryor has every chance of contributing there immediately.
Housler and Johnson are not in danger from Pryor, but there could be room for him between them, as it is possible, due to the nature of this scheme, that the Browns retain five "tight ends" (or four tight ends and a fullback, if they call Johnson a fullback).
Another factor here is that move tight ends and H-backs are a little different than receivers. They're often secondary or tertiary targets, and become more valuable when plays and timing break down.
Often they'll go deep between the hash-marks. Timing or precision aren't as critical here, because they're right in front of the quarterback. They're not making any cuts. The quarterback can see them, and adjust.
IF Pryor has good hands (who knows right now?), he can run some of these patterns right away.
As an H-back, he can't be bumped. As a move tight end, he has to be covered by a strong safety or linebacker who can't run with him.
Terrelle Pryor the receiver has a better chance here with Flip than he would on just about any other team.
If he doesn't make it, Ray Farmer will certainly try to sneak him onto the practice squad. And it's at least 50/50 he loses him. Good luck, kid!
Monday, June 15, 2015
Not Much Goin On
Tony Grossi (Hey Tony) is right about the quarterback situation.
Making McCown the nominal starter was a smart move, but if Manziel and McCown are even close in preseason, Manziel should be the starter. Josh McCown has no upside left, and the kid needs reps to develop.
Having said that, I think it's unlikely. Johnny Manziel is coming from a playground offense and almost starting from scratch most ways.
Sure would be nice, though.
I read one comment from a hard core permabasher declaring that since the Browns had no quarterback, tight ends, or wide recievers, there is no point to a great offensive line.
I'm sorry but I can't just brush off that kind of mentally warped idiocy.
In addition to being a permabasher, this moron is an absolutist, which is another type of simpleton. An absolutist believes that if you aren't a perennial Pro Bowler, you suck, And if you haven't already made the Pro Bowl, you never will.
Housler will be at least an average move tight end, and could be a real stud now that he'll be used that way. The other guys are blockers who can catch, except for Malcolm Johnson who (however you want to label him) is here to catch passes as well as block.
These aren't "no" tight ends, but probably at least above average as a group.
The wide recievers are solid, with home run potential in all the little guys. Vincent Mayle and two other guys could be nice surprises, but Bowe and Hartline are solid, if unspectacular.
Like the tight ends, they do exist, and are probably a tad above average themselves.
No, I'm not being an optimist or a homer. All these permabashers have lowered the bar so far that anything not negative is ridiculed by people who were never taught critical thinking, and think with their emotions.
The only unit on this entire team that has a significant problem is quarterback, and that's just reality.
Discussions on McCown persist, but one commenter who moved here from Tampa raised the issue, and he and Tony made a point: The offensive line in Chicago was good, and the one in Tampa was a train wreck.
This is why Josh McCown can post numbers behind this offensive line like he did in Chicago, and not in Tampa Bay why is this so hard to understand?
I'm glad Gipson is back. Now I hope that Ray Farmer will negotiate with him in earnest to sign him long-term. Gipson is a leader and a positive example. He shows that it doesn't matter where you came from--on this team if you're the best you'll start.
Now they've got to prove that "play like a Brown" actually means something,
As always, here's my disclaimer: There IS such a thing as "too much", and they can't just "pay the man" whatever he asks no matter what. The backup plan would be to franchise him next season and keep him for two years.
I really hope Gipson isn't out for the last nickel.
Making McCown the nominal starter was a smart move, but if Manziel and McCown are even close in preseason, Manziel should be the starter. Josh McCown has no upside left, and the kid needs reps to develop.
Having said that, I think it's unlikely. Johnny Manziel is coming from a playground offense and almost starting from scratch most ways.
Sure would be nice, though.
I read one comment from a hard core permabasher declaring that since the Browns had no quarterback, tight ends, or wide recievers, there is no point to a great offensive line.
I'm sorry but I can't just brush off that kind of mentally warped idiocy.
In addition to being a permabasher, this moron is an absolutist, which is another type of simpleton. An absolutist believes that if you aren't a perennial Pro Bowler, you suck, And if you haven't already made the Pro Bowl, you never will.
Housler will be at least an average move tight end, and could be a real stud now that he'll be used that way. The other guys are blockers who can catch, except for Malcolm Johnson who (however you want to label him) is here to catch passes as well as block.
These aren't "no" tight ends, but probably at least above average as a group.
The wide recievers are solid, with home run potential in all the little guys. Vincent Mayle and two other guys could be nice surprises, but Bowe and Hartline are solid, if unspectacular.
Like the tight ends, they do exist, and are probably a tad above average themselves.
No, I'm not being an optimist or a homer. All these permabashers have lowered the bar so far that anything not negative is ridiculed by people who were never taught critical thinking, and think with their emotions.
The only unit on this entire team that has a significant problem is quarterback, and that's just reality.
Discussions on McCown persist, but one commenter who moved here from Tampa raised the issue, and he and Tony made a point: The offensive line in Chicago was good, and the one in Tampa was a train wreck.
This is why Josh McCown can post numbers behind this offensive line like he did in Chicago, and not in Tampa Bay why is this so hard to understand?
I'm glad Gipson is back. Now I hope that Ray Farmer will negotiate with him in earnest to sign him long-term. Gipson is a leader and a positive example. He shows that it doesn't matter where you came from--on this team if you're the best you'll start.
Now they've got to prove that "play like a Brown" actually means something,
As always, here's my disclaimer: There IS such a thing as "too much", and they can't just "pay the man" whatever he asks no matter what. The backup plan would be to franchise him next season and keep him for two years.
I really hope Gipson isn't out for the last nickel.
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Pett and Flip Really Mean It
Okay, so the Browns are stuck with Josh McCown, Johnny Manziel, and Connor Shaw. That's not ideal.
By now, everybody knows the statistics, which say that teams with the top-ranked quarterbacks make and advance in the playoffs, and those without them don't.
Marty Schottenheimer famously said that statistics are for losers. I'm beginning to understand what he meant.
Pettine's message all along has been that football is a team sport. While I'm sure that he would have liked to grab Marcus Mariota or inherit Tannehill, he sincerely doesn't believe that an offense should revolve around any one player. Not even the guy who takes every snap.
Well, think about this: Josh McCown with Tampa Bay was a terrible quarterback. But with Chicago, was an elite quarterback. What was different?
The talent around him was different.
While McCown had elite wide recievers on both teams, the offensive lines, running games, and defenses were markedly different. Those who point to Tampa's recievers and declare both situations the same are permabashers who cherry-pick information to back up their universally dark and dire prejudices.
Pett has repeatedly said that McCown can succeed in "the right situation", and this is what he means.
With a strong defense that gets turnovers, McCown shouldn't have to come from behind much. That means that defenses can't tee off on him and overload his blockers with blitzers. That he'll have favorable field position more often, so defenses are paranoid about big plays.
With possibly the best offensive line in the NFL and a diverse and formidable running game, he shouldn't have to face many second and third and long situations that mandate a pass.
The scheme will be very McCown-freindly too. Flip and Pett will use pitches, dumpoffs, and conventional runs a lot, and around 75% of the plays he'll run will be these easy, high-percentage plays.
The bulk of the other pass plays will be slants and crosses on short and intermediate patterns. He and the recievers must make the correct reads, but the ball will be out of his hands within three seconds.
Stop bashing the tight ends and wide recievers. All three (current) smurfs are lightening-fast PLAYMAKERS who are ideal for the slants and crosses.
Hartline and Bowe can also run vertical routes, and are relatively safe downfield targets who can often prevent an interception of they can't make the catch.
Rob Housler is highly underrated. This will be the first time since Bruce Ariens took over in Arizona that he'll be used the way he's meant to be used. Malcolm Johnson will surprise a lot of you, too.
Guys like Sam Bradford were too stupid to comprehend this, but McCown might have the easiest QB gig in the NFL. All he has to be is competant.
If you snickered when I said that this might be the best offensive line in the NFL, you are an ignoramus. I believe that Erving will take over at right tackle, as the unsung John Greco ranks as the 11th-best guard (of 64) in the NFL.
Erving excelled at left tackle, and is an ideal fit for a zone and trap-blocking scheme.
The running backs? Awesome. West and Crowell going into their second seasons should be better blockers and recievers, and Duke Johnson is a home-run hitter with one of the best stiff-arms I've ever seen. He's not small--he's compact. He's not just elusive and fast, but he's hard to take down!
Crowell, I believe, could mutate into Beast Mode.
The wide recievers are hard to quantify, but the objective analyst would call Bowe and Hartline "pretty good" (sleeper alert: Josh Lenz). The three smurfs are really good, too.
And I believe Housler can do everything Jordan Cameron did. He's faster than Dizzy, by the way.
Pat Kirwan rating this defensive line last in the Division was as laughable as it was predictable. I won't rehash my earlier blog in this subject, but it's not just the three high-profile new additions they've brought on board, but the 3 players who were injured last season who return, that make this a group on a par with the offensive line they'll face in practice every day.
I need not mention the secondary, except to point out that Gilbert might start opposite Haden and play "as advertized" when they drafted him.
The upgraded defensive line will help Orchard and the other OLB's immensely, as pockets will collapse, and opposing offenses won't be able to run the ball like they did last season.
As I mentioned, "lack of pressure" as measured in sacks last season is misleading. Opposing teams ran the ball a lot, and were ahead on points a lot, and there weren't many obvious passing situations that they could exploit.
Starks, Shelton, and Cooper were all brought here to change that, and these guys can mess up the passing game (each in his own way) as a bonus.
As a result, a game managing quarterback can win with this team.
And I'm convinced that what Mike Pettine is telling the public matches word-for-word what he tells his team behind closed doors.
This is a very talented team, with the bulk of the players young and improving. The defensive system has, for once, remained intact and is installing "graduate level" stuff now.
And I'm sure that Mike Pettine says this:
JUST DO YOUR JOB. Sound familiar?
By now, everybody knows the statistics, which say that teams with the top-ranked quarterbacks make and advance in the playoffs, and those without them don't.
Marty Schottenheimer famously said that statistics are for losers. I'm beginning to understand what he meant.
Pettine's message all along has been that football is a team sport. While I'm sure that he would have liked to grab Marcus Mariota or inherit Tannehill, he sincerely doesn't believe that an offense should revolve around any one player. Not even the guy who takes every snap.
Well, think about this: Josh McCown with Tampa Bay was a terrible quarterback. But with Chicago, was an elite quarterback. What was different?
The talent around him was different.
While McCown had elite wide recievers on both teams, the offensive lines, running games, and defenses were markedly different. Those who point to Tampa's recievers and declare both situations the same are permabashers who cherry-pick information to back up their universally dark and dire prejudices.
Pett has repeatedly said that McCown can succeed in "the right situation", and this is what he means.
With a strong defense that gets turnovers, McCown shouldn't have to come from behind much. That means that defenses can't tee off on him and overload his blockers with blitzers. That he'll have favorable field position more often, so defenses are paranoid about big plays.
With possibly the best offensive line in the NFL and a diverse and formidable running game, he shouldn't have to face many second and third and long situations that mandate a pass.
The scheme will be very McCown-freindly too. Flip and Pett will use pitches, dumpoffs, and conventional runs a lot, and around 75% of the plays he'll run will be these easy, high-percentage plays.
The bulk of the other pass plays will be slants and crosses on short and intermediate patterns. He and the recievers must make the correct reads, but the ball will be out of his hands within three seconds.
Stop bashing the tight ends and wide recievers. All three (current) smurfs are lightening-fast PLAYMAKERS who are ideal for the slants and crosses.
Hartline and Bowe can also run vertical routes, and are relatively safe downfield targets who can often prevent an interception of they can't make the catch.
Rob Housler is highly underrated. This will be the first time since Bruce Ariens took over in Arizona that he'll be used the way he's meant to be used. Malcolm Johnson will surprise a lot of you, too.
Guys like Sam Bradford were too stupid to comprehend this, but McCown might have the easiest QB gig in the NFL. All he has to be is competant.
If you snickered when I said that this might be the best offensive line in the NFL, you are an ignoramus. I believe that Erving will take over at right tackle, as the unsung John Greco ranks as the 11th-best guard (of 64) in the NFL.
Erving excelled at left tackle, and is an ideal fit for a zone and trap-blocking scheme.
The running backs? Awesome. West and Crowell going into their second seasons should be better blockers and recievers, and Duke Johnson is a home-run hitter with one of the best stiff-arms I've ever seen. He's not small--he's compact. He's not just elusive and fast, but he's hard to take down!
Crowell, I believe, could mutate into Beast Mode.
The wide recievers are hard to quantify, but the objective analyst would call Bowe and Hartline "pretty good" (sleeper alert: Josh Lenz). The three smurfs are really good, too.
And I believe Housler can do everything Jordan Cameron did. He's faster than Dizzy, by the way.
Pat Kirwan rating this defensive line last in the Division was as laughable as it was predictable. I won't rehash my earlier blog in this subject, but it's not just the three high-profile new additions they've brought on board, but the 3 players who were injured last season who return, that make this a group on a par with the offensive line they'll face in practice every day.
I need not mention the secondary, except to point out that Gilbert might start opposite Haden and play "as advertized" when they drafted him.
The upgraded defensive line will help Orchard and the other OLB's immensely, as pockets will collapse, and opposing offenses won't be able to run the ball like they did last season.
As I mentioned, "lack of pressure" as measured in sacks last season is misleading. Opposing teams ran the ball a lot, and were ahead on points a lot, and there weren't many obvious passing situations that they could exploit.
Starks, Shelton, and Cooper were all brought here to change that, and these guys can mess up the passing game (each in his own way) as a bonus.
As a result, a game managing quarterback can win with this team.
And I'm convinced that what Mike Pettine is telling the public matches word-for-word what he tells his team behind closed doors.
This is a very talented team, with the bulk of the players young and improving. The defensive system has, for once, remained intact and is installing "graduate level" stuff now.
And I'm sure that Mike Pettine says this:
JUST DO YOUR JOB. Sound familiar?
Monday, June 8, 2015
Underrated Cleveland Browns
1: Ibraheim Campbell. Primarily used as an in-the-box (strong) safety in college, he sort of got "typecast" that way by many amateur scouts.
He did much to break out of that box at the Senior Bowl, as he excelled in covering college football's top senior recievers, then in workouts.
The workout numbers show not just excellent safety speed, but explosiveness and mobility; that is the physical tools to cover well.
At some point, Donte Whitner has to retire. We can hope and pray that Gipson can be re-signed. But down the road, Campbell probably not only starts, but becomes an elite safety. Yeah. I said it.
2: Taylor Gabriel. He's earned some reluctant, grudging respect, but not enough. He's a shrimp like Hawk and Benjamin, but is much stronger physically. He's made of baling wire.
I keep comparing him to Steve Smith. That's partly why. The other part is his attitude and determination.
A recent analysis gave credit to Hawkins and Gabriel, saying that they would be solid contributors and make some big plays, but would never be elite recievers.
In the case of Gabriel, that comes up short. Last season, he was an undrafted rookie, learning his job like every rookie has to. Yet from game one, he got open and caught everything thrown to him.
In his second season, he'll make a "jump", as most players do from year one to year two. He started out on a par with Andrew Hawkins.
3: Justin Gilbert. Short and sweet: While many questioned drafting a cornerback instead of a wide reciever that high, few questioned that Gilbert had the kind of talent to warrant that pick.
He was a rookie last season, and he's a cornerback--not a quarterback. I recently read that Manziel and Gilbert were fighting for their careers. Wow.
He still has all that talent. He's been working out with Joe Haden. He's got his act together. Like Gabriel, he's jumping from year one to year two. What he's really fighting for is to START opposite Joe, and he has a decent chance to do it.
3: John Greco. Pro Football Focus ranked him eighth overall among 64 NFL guards, and he's 30. Need I say more?
4: Brian Hartline. He had a so-so year last season as the Dolphins phased in younger, faster players, but he's still only 28.
While last season he only averaged 12.2 yards per-catch, in 2013 and 2014, he averaged 14.6 and 13.4 respectively, caught for a thousand yards in both seasons, with over 70 receptions each year.
Did I mention he's only 28?
5: Rob Housler. Coaches matter. Scheme matters. Housler can block, but is more of a fast pass-catching tight end who can play H-back as well, and since Bruce Ariens installed his offensive system, there hasn't been much room for him.
Despite this, in 2014 Housler averaged 14.3 yards per-catch on 27 catches. This was his fourth season in the NFL, and by a significant margin his highest figure.
The 2015 Browns offense will seek to use a pass-catching tight end a lot more than Ariens does, and Housler is physically a Cameron Jordan.
6: Barkevious Mingo. We now know that Mingo played last season with one arm due to injury. He was nevertheless on the field a lot, because he has rare ability in coverage. As a passrusher, he wasn't sent a lot, but offenses had to respect him as a threat.
That was his second season. He was less than impressive in his first season, but this was partly because he was splitting time between rushing and covering from the beginning. He did get aimed at and steamrolled on runs, too.
The consensus is he needs to get bigger, but he's just got one of those metabolisms that make that difficult.
Still, I heard that Jason Taylor's listed weight was a lie, and that he never played at over 230 lbs in his career. I heard this in a conversation between a defensive and offensive lineman.
Mingo reminds many of them of Taylor.
This season, he has both arms. He is underrated because last season should be tossed out the window, because he has never been used like a conventional 3-4 OLB, and because coverage is also a valuable skill.
If you have an outside linebacker who can stifle a "move" tight end, it's a major asset. Most 3-4 outside linebackers can only cover in a zone, and don't even try to run with these guys. In many cases, a safety has to move outside.
7: Xavier Cooper. Like Gabriel, he gets like-pulling-teeth respect, but not enough. Does anybody remember Micheal Dean Perry?
This guy is like him. Seriously. Micheal might have been a tad faster in pursuit, but Coop is stronger, and the first step and punch are eerily similar. Just stay tuned.
8: Josh McCown. That's right. I'm not saying he's a superstar, just that he's a solid journeyman who can manage an offense. He's not even getting that much respect.
Quarterbacks don't operate in a vacuum. Everybody talks about the recievers he had in Tampa, but you can't throw from a prone position.
As usual, analysts stick with the negative, like his career stats. Last season, while getting the snot beat out of him, he completed 56.3 % of his passes over 11 games.
The year prior in Chicago, he has time to throw and completed 66.5% for an 8.2 yard average over five games.
That's about the structure of his stats: One part good teams, two parts bad teams, throughout his career. If you just take career stats without any context, you are not an analyst.
In 2 starts in 2011 with the Bears, his stats were roughly similar.
One analyst, when asked if we'll get the Bearss McCown or the Bucs McCown said "somewhere in between". Chicken!
Do you think that this offensive line can somehow manage to protect the quarterback? Are you aware that McCown is a past-master of the art of the hand-off, the pitch-out, and the toss-sweep? (no really--it's true!)
This will be about 75% of his job here. Does anybody else besides Flip and Pett get that?
And don't dwell on the recievers either. Sure, both Tampa and da Bearss had a superior crew of wide-outs. But as we saw, the offensive line was more important.
Josh McCown will never see a Pro Bowl or anything, but he's fully capable of winning a lot with this team--including against tough defenses. If those defenses can't out-smashmouth this offensive line, they're in for some long days--as are their quarterbacks.
9: Scott Solomon. Solomon was a true linebacker in college--not a lineman. His physical tools are unspectacular, but he had a foot injury late in his college career, and wasn't 100% for his combine workouts.
He has great football intelligence and instincts, and has gotten a lot stronger (and maybe a little faster) now that his foot is okay.
Aside from a spot-appearance in week 6 (3 tackles), he only played in two games at the end of the 2014 season, and I myself totally missed him.
Seven tackles and one sack don't look impressive on paper, but they are for a 3-4 OLB who rotates in and out. Nor does the one sack accurately reflect the rushed throws he forced, and some of his tackles were for losses.
I already listed Mingo, and of course they drafted Nate Orchard, who should be a force, so it's hard to project great things for Solomon. However, he can take on blocks and play inside as well.
This is great! I have to get into the backups for this list!
10: Billy Winn. He was playing hurt much of last season. Prior years more accurately show what he can do. Winn could start for most teams, but here will be a rotational player on a defensive line that just added Randy Starks and Xavier Cooper, and will use John Hughes on run-downs.
This list could go on to include Connor Shaw, one of the most prolific quarterbacks in college football history. Everything but the arm. Like Montana.
I could list a bunch more, and even include Manziel, who's been pre-declared a bust after two starts as a rookie.
It's the Browns, you see. MOST of these players are underrated.
He did much to break out of that box at the Senior Bowl, as he excelled in covering college football's top senior recievers, then in workouts.
The workout numbers show not just excellent safety speed, but explosiveness and mobility; that is the physical tools to cover well.
At some point, Donte Whitner has to retire. We can hope and pray that Gipson can be re-signed. But down the road, Campbell probably not only starts, but becomes an elite safety. Yeah. I said it.
2: Taylor Gabriel. He's earned some reluctant, grudging respect, but not enough. He's a shrimp like Hawk and Benjamin, but is much stronger physically. He's made of baling wire.
I keep comparing him to Steve Smith. That's partly why. The other part is his attitude and determination.
A recent analysis gave credit to Hawkins and Gabriel, saying that they would be solid contributors and make some big plays, but would never be elite recievers.
In the case of Gabriel, that comes up short. Last season, he was an undrafted rookie, learning his job like every rookie has to. Yet from game one, he got open and caught everything thrown to him.
In his second season, he'll make a "jump", as most players do from year one to year two. He started out on a par with Andrew Hawkins.
3: Justin Gilbert. Short and sweet: While many questioned drafting a cornerback instead of a wide reciever that high, few questioned that Gilbert had the kind of talent to warrant that pick.
He was a rookie last season, and he's a cornerback--not a quarterback. I recently read that Manziel and Gilbert were fighting for their careers. Wow.
He still has all that talent. He's been working out with Joe Haden. He's got his act together. Like Gabriel, he's jumping from year one to year two. What he's really fighting for is to START opposite Joe, and he has a decent chance to do it.
3: John Greco. Pro Football Focus ranked him eighth overall among 64 NFL guards, and he's 30. Need I say more?
4: Brian Hartline. He had a so-so year last season as the Dolphins phased in younger, faster players, but he's still only 28.
While last season he only averaged 12.2 yards per-catch, in 2013 and 2014, he averaged 14.6 and 13.4 respectively, caught for a thousand yards in both seasons, with over 70 receptions each year.
Did I mention he's only 28?
5: Rob Housler. Coaches matter. Scheme matters. Housler can block, but is more of a fast pass-catching tight end who can play H-back as well, and since Bruce Ariens installed his offensive system, there hasn't been much room for him.
Despite this, in 2014 Housler averaged 14.3 yards per-catch on 27 catches. This was his fourth season in the NFL, and by a significant margin his highest figure.
The 2015 Browns offense will seek to use a pass-catching tight end a lot more than Ariens does, and Housler is physically a Cameron Jordan.
6: Barkevious Mingo. We now know that Mingo played last season with one arm due to injury. He was nevertheless on the field a lot, because he has rare ability in coverage. As a passrusher, he wasn't sent a lot, but offenses had to respect him as a threat.
That was his second season. He was less than impressive in his first season, but this was partly because he was splitting time between rushing and covering from the beginning. He did get aimed at and steamrolled on runs, too.
The consensus is he needs to get bigger, but he's just got one of those metabolisms that make that difficult.
Still, I heard that Jason Taylor's listed weight was a lie, and that he never played at over 230 lbs in his career. I heard this in a conversation between a defensive and offensive lineman.
Mingo reminds many of them of Taylor.
This season, he has both arms. He is underrated because last season should be tossed out the window, because he has never been used like a conventional 3-4 OLB, and because coverage is also a valuable skill.
If you have an outside linebacker who can stifle a "move" tight end, it's a major asset. Most 3-4 outside linebackers can only cover in a zone, and don't even try to run with these guys. In many cases, a safety has to move outside.
7: Xavier Cooper. Like Gabriel, he gets like-pulling-teeth respect, but not enough. Does anybody remember Micheal Dean Perry?
This guy is like him. Seriously. Micheal might have been a tad faster in pursuit, but Coop is stronger, and the first step and punch are eerily similar. Just stay tuned.
8: Josh McCown. That's right. I'm not saying he's a superstar, just that he's a solid journeyman who can manage an offense. He's not even getting that much respect.
Quarterbacks don't operate in a vacuum. Everybody talks about the recievers he had in Tampa, but you can't throw from a prone position.
As usual, analysts stick with the negative, like his career stats. Last season, while getting the snot beat out of him, he completed 56.3 % of his passes over 11 games.
The year prior in Chicago, he has time to throw and completed 66.5% for an 8.2 yard average over five games.
That's about the structure of his stats: One part good teams, two parts bad teams, throughout his career. If you just take career stats without any context, you are not an analyst.
In 2 starts in 2011 with the Bears, his stats were roughly similar.
One analyst, when asked if we'll get the Bearss McCown or the Bucs McCown said "somewhere in between". Chicken!
Do you think that this offensive line can somehow manage to protect the quarterback? Are you aware that McCown is a past-master of the art of the hand-off, the pitch-out, and the toss-sweep? (no really--it's true!)
This will be about 75% of his job here. Does anybody else besides Flip and Pett get that?
And don't dwell on the recievers either. Sure, both Tampa and da Bearss had a superior crew of wide-outs. But as we saw, the offensive line was more important.
Josh McCown will never see a Pro Bowl or anything, but he's fully capable of winning a lot with this team--including against tough defenses. If those defenses can't out-smashmouth this offensive line, they're in for some long days--as are their quarterbacks.
9: Scott Solomon. Solomon was a true linebacker in college--not a lineman. His physical tools are unspectacular, but he had a foot injury late in his college career, and wasn't 100% for his combine workouts.
He has great football intelligence and instincts, and has gotten a lot stronger (and maybe a little faster) now that his foot is okay.
Aside from a spot-appearance in week 6 (3 tackles), he only played in two games at the end of the 2014 season, and I myself totally missed him.
Seven tackles and one sack don't look impressive on paper, but they are for a 3-4 OLB who rotates in and out. Nor does the one sack accurately reflect the rushed throws he forced, and some of his tackles were for losses.
I already listed Mingo, and of course they drafted Nate Orchard, who should be a force, so it's hard to project great things for Solomon. However, he can take on blocks and play inside as well.
This is great! I have to get into the backups for this list!
10: Billy Winn. He was playing hurt much of last season. Prior years more accurately show what he can do. Winn could start for most teams, but here will be a rotational player on a defensive line that just added Randy Starks and Xavier Cooper, and will use John Hughes on run-downs.
This list could go on to include Connor Shaw, one of the most prolific quarterbacks in college football history. Everything but the arm. Like Montana.
I could list a bunch more, and even include Manziel, who's been pre-declared a bust after two starts as a rookie.
It's the Browns, you see. MOST of these players are underrated.
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Cleveland Browns: We're All Gonna Die Part 1,016
In this article by Terry Pluto, he talks about "good impressions" from the Browns' OTAs. Note the title: Good impressions.
Out came the permabashers, with their sneering, snide crap. Reminds me of junior high.
"Does Terry Pluto work for the paper or the Browns?"
"C'mon, we're talking about practice!" What does that have to do with anything?
"I have no faith in this team". Well that's ok--it's not snide, and sounds sincere. But why not? Everything about the team from top-to-bottom is new. Are you superstitious, or is that Stockholm Syndrome?
Terry points out that last season, the Browns gave up between 23 and 30 points in their first four games, and an average of 13.4 in their next four.
"Nice spin. I'm sure playing the Raiders and Buccaneers in the second span of games had nothing to do with the improvement".
I guess so. But the first four were stacked: Steelers, Saints, Ravens and Titans. They held the Steelers to ten points in game 5.
But the guy makes a point.
"This 'analysis' also ignores the fact in the second half of the season, the Browns gave up 23+ points in 5 out of 8 games. In fact, the gave up more points in their last 8 games than they did in their first 8".
That's sort of cheating. Without Alex Mack, the offense took a nose dive. The defense was on the field far too often and wore down. Phil Taylor down for the season, Billy Winn in and out and playing hurt, Kitchen, Rubin, etc. all missing significant time. They were starting undrafted free agents on the defensive line. Then down goes Gipson!
Still, this last post wasn't idiotic, at least. It's rare when a permabasher can actually back up his case with more than whining and ad hominum attacks.
Fortunately, the positive comments outnumbered the negatives.
Most people understand that Mary Kay and Terry will look for positive stuff in general, and it's easy enough to find with 49 players. They leave the bashing to damn near everybody else.
I read another article on the offense looking bad. And it has. Terry chose to write that the defense looked good. And it has.
It's not a surprise. The offense is learning a new system, and the defense is installing "graduate level" stuff, building on last year.
And the flag football drills they've been running can't test the running game.
(Snicker) "More excuses" (snort).
Ahh, bite me.
Out came the permabashers, with their sneering, snide crap. Reminds me of junior high.
"Does Terry Pluto work for the paper or the Browns?"
"C'mon, we're talking about practice!" What does that have to do with anything?
"I have no faith in this team". Well that's ok--it's not snide, and sounds sincere. But why not? Everything about the team from top-to-bottom is new. Are you superstitious, or is that Stockholm Syndrome?
Terry points out that last season, the Browns gave up between 23 and 30 points in their first four games, and an average of 13.4 in their next four.
"Nice spin. I'm sure playing the Raiders and Buccaneers in the second span of games had nothing to do with the improvement".
I guess so. But the first four were stacked: Steelers, Saints, Ravens and Titans. They held the Steelers to ten points in game 5.
But the guy makes a point.
"This 'analysis' also ignores the fact in the second half of the season, the Browns gave up 23+ points in 5 out of 8 games. In fact, the gave up more points in their last 8 games than they did in their first 8".
That's sort of cheating. Without Alex Mack, the offense took a nose dive. The defense was on the field far too often and wore down. Phil Taylor down for the season, Billy Winn in and out and playing hurt, Kitchen, Rubin, etc. all missing significant time. They were starting undrafted free agents on the defensive line. Then down goes Gipson!
Still, this last post wasn't idiotic, at least. It's rare when a permabasher can actually back up his case with more than whining and ad hominum attacks.
Fortunately, the positive comments outnumbered the negatives.
Most people understand that Mary Kay and Terry will look for positive stuff in general, and it's easy enough to find with 49 players. They leave the bashing to damn near everybody else.
I read another article on the offense looking bad. And it has. Terry chose to write that the defense looked good. And it has.
It's not a surprise. The offense is learning a new system, and the defense is installing "graduate level" stuff, building on last year.
And the flag football drills they've been running can't test the running game.
(Snicker) "More excuses" (snort).
Ahh, bite me.
Monday, June 1, 2015
Another Big Deal in Brownstown
I haven't bothered reading anything about Johnny Manziel's incident. It took over two hours of harrassment to make him pop his cork.
Reports say the scumbag was after an autograph, but he was probably being sarcastic. Some people love to torture other people. I was emotionally tortured constantly as a kid til I went nuts, and well...it stopped.
I've never been able to fathom how any human being could enjoy torturing other people like that, and it's the "fan", and not Johnny, who needs a horsewhipping.
It is troubling that Johnny did lose his temper, because defenders he will ultimately face will be trying to "get in his head" all game every game now. Still, I don't think this is a big deal. Not at all.
Most of the people on Adrian Peterson Radio are kind of laughing at reports that the Browns have "moved on" from Johnny Manziel, but not all of them.
For one entire show, one of the talking heads had moved on from the moving on part and was trying to talk about what the Browns would do next at quarterback after kicking him to the curb.
Tony Grossi is well-respected for good reasons, but his recent article describing Manziel as a "fish out of water", and concluding that the Browns have obviously "moved on" from him was pretty bad.
He's looking at seven-on-seven drills, and three other writers saw pretty much the opposite. THEY said he threw an interception, then ripped off a string of sharp completions and looked good.
But Grossi is the heavyweight, and a bunch of clowns have taken that ball and run with it.
"Browns are mishandling Johnny Manziel"? Well he DID suck like a Hoover on steroids last season, and wasted most of that season NOT doing his home-work. He ran a schoolyard offense in college.
This goober thinks the Browns should adapt the offense to Johnny Manziel! Close your eyes and throw the dart.
He also seems to think that Manziel is incapable of ever being a true NFL quarterback. This writer needs to believe that, because then he can say that installing a pro offense means they've given up on him.
This is called circular logic. Reach a conclusion, then find evidence to support it (and filter everything else, including common sense, out),
What did Flip say? He's NOT going to take what Johnny does best away from him, right? Well, there will be plays, like rollouts, in the base offense which both quarterbacks can run. There will be shotgun and pistol sets.
If Manziel takes over at some point, Flip won't build the same game-plans as he will for McCown, and will install same new ones he's already no doubt got on the drawing board.
It's not astro-physics! And it's true: For his sake, Johnny needs to adapt, or he'll never be a long-term starter anywhere in the NFL.
Late addition: What Mike said about this Soap Opera bullcrap.
Russell Wilson runs a pro offense now. Fran Tarkenton ran one decades ago. Roger Staubach himself, for that matter, was a scrambler who learned. Moving on? Mishandling? Oh, puh-leez!
Those there are olympic-calibre conclusion-leapers!
Another writer was analyzing the roster, and went right past assuming that Justin Gilbert had no shot at starting opposite Joe Haden, and assumed that he'd compete for the nickel position.
After all, the slot corner is the third-best cornerback, right?
Jeez. Because Gilbert has exceptional speed, and quickness for his size, he could cover some slot recievers, but at least three other cornerbacks on this roster project better in that role.
They are shorter, smaller, and quicker. Because most slot recievers are shorter, smaller, and quicker--see how this works?
Gilbert could be used situationally for the few teams that use bigger guys in the slot, but you don't want him trying to cover a Hawkins or a Gabriel when he can't even jam them.
Gilbert, if he doesn't win the starting slot, can be used in a kind of safety role, and situationally for Hartline-type slot guys, but isn't a slot cornerback. Nor is Desir, so don't even start that either.
I respect Alex Mack's honesty and position. Pat Kirwan has decided he "wants out" and colors him gone, but Pat has a Steelers shrine in his basement. Until recently, when somebody said "Browns", he would sniff audibly--get it? What else is brown? Haha. How sophisticated.
No, Mack and Joe Thomas are good friends. He has other friends here, and this is not, in reality, a bad place to play.
Alex mentioned one thing: Winning. I get that. McCown is the starter for now, Johnny is a question mark, and Mack is sick of losing. Even if the Browns win ten games this season, he still has to wonder about the future--unless Manziel (or even Connor Shaw) has taken the field and really proven something.
But I think he'll leave anyway. It's the money. Somebody massively overpaid another center, and he'll probably be offered over a three million dollar per year raise by at least one other team. Top ten left tackle money.
Some fans think a GM should just pay players whatever they ask. That is stupid.
Unlike Dizzy Cameron, I'll really miss Alex if he leaves. I try not to resent the fact that all these guys place money over everything else and rarely, if ever, take even four percent less to stay where their home and friends are.
Picking Cam Erving was a really smart move. He can be as good a center as Mack, and for that matter could eventually take over for Joe Thomas.
Terrence West will indeed be more consistent and complete in his second season. I hope Jerry Jones notices.
Travis Benjamin is back 100% from his surgery. I hope other teams notice him too. And for that matter, Hawkins.
Here's the thing: This year's Browns will most likely use two tight ends a lot, and two backs a lot, sometimes with Duke Johnson in the slot. Malcolm Johnson will force his way onto the field.
This means they probably can't carry more than five wide recievers, and there isn't much room for a true slot reciever here. Either of the Johnsons or Housler will often take that slot (pun intended).
They've been lining Andrew Hawkins up in the backfield, which might be telling. They back the little guy off the line to make a jam impossible and give him room.
I assume that Taylor Gabriel will do the same stuff. Gabriel is very much like Hawk, except lower on his growth-curve, younger, physically stronger, and much, much cheaper so...
Anyway these are experiments. They're trying to see if they can find alternative ways to use the little speedsters, because if they're strictly slot guys, that's a problem.
Any of them can return punts, and Duke Johnson can return kicks. All of them have played X and Y reciever with moderate success despite their shrimpdom, but they're limited there, as I described is a previous entry:
They're not good vertical targets, and there are some routes that defenders can "write off" with them. The taller guys can run the whole tree, and can't be "keyed" that way.
I believe that Bowe and Hartline are sticking around.
Josh Lenz could be a sleeper. He's a former running back and had a bad quarterback in college. He's much faster and more explosive than advertised.
Vince Mayle was just drafted. One or both of these guys could go to the practice squad, but there's at least a 50/50 chance one of them makes the cut.
This would leave two slots, assuming they keep five wide recievers. For now, I believe that Travis Benjamin is low man on that totem pole.
Benjamin had one bad year, and has real value as a returner and even as a reciever, but other GMs will know that he's probably going to get released.
Hawk, on the other hand, offers a lot more leverage. He might fetch a third round pick. Then keep Benjamin and see what you can do with him.
I really like Hawk, and know he's the better player. But this is business. Any time you're going to have to start cutting good players, you look at that position group and see if you can get something for them. Age, contract term, money, and comparative talent are all factors here.
That's why I proposed the Terrence West trade. I like him a lot too, but believe that Crowell is better, and Duke Johnson is different AND better as well. They've said they really like Glen Winston, and I take them at their word.
Winston is interesting, because he's 6'2", which is a skyscraper compared the the other backs. The way Flip is trying to use backs as recievers, his physical dimensions would help a whole lot. MUCH bigger catch radius. He's like Greg Little (scary, huh?)
The idea of Crowell or West in the slot isn't very interesting, but Winston? Hmmm!
Of course, it would help if he can catch.
Reports say the scumbag was after an autograph, but he was probably being sarcastic. Some people love to torture other people. I was emotionally tortured constantly as a kid til I went nuts, and well...it stopped.
I've never been able to fathom how any human being could enjoy torturing other people like that, and it's the "fan", and not Johnny, who needs a horsewhipping.
It is troubling that Johnny did lose his temper, because defenders he will ultimately face will be trying to "get in his head" all game every game now. Still, I don't think this is a big deal. Not at all.
Most of the people on Adrian Peterson Radio are kind of laughing at reports that the Browns have "moved on" from Johnny Manziel, but not all of them.
For one entire show, one of the talking heads had moved on from the moving on part and was trying to talk about what the Browns would do next at quarterback after kicking him to the curb.
Tony Grossi is well-respected for good reasons, but his recent article describing Manziel as a "fish out of water", and concluding that the Browns have obviously "moved on" from him was pretty bad.
He's looking at seven-on-seven drills, and three other writers saw pretty much the opposite. THEY said he threw an interception, then ripped off a string of sharp completions and looked good.
But Grossi is the heavyweight, and a bunch of clowns have taken that ball and run with it.
"Browns are mishandling Johnny Manziel"? Well he DID suck like a Hoover on steroids last season, and wasted most of that season NOT doing his home-work. He ran a schoolyard offense in college.
This goober thinks the Browns should adapt the offense to Johnny Manziel! Close your eyes and throw the dart.
He also seems to think that Manziel is incapable of ever being a true NFL quarterback. This writer needs to believe that, because then he can say that installing a pro offense means they've given up on him.
This is called circular logic. Reach a conclusion, then find evidence to support it (and filter everything else, including common sense, out),
What did Flip say? He's NOT going to take what Johnny does best away from him, right? Well, there will be plays, like rollouts, in the base offense which both quarterbacks can run. There will be shotgun and pistol sets.
If Manziel takes over at some point, Flip won't build the same game-plans as he will for McCown, and will install same new ones he's already no doubt got on the drawing board.
It's not astro-physics! And it's true: For his sake, Johnny needs to adapt, or he'll never be a long-term starter anywhere in the NFL.
Late addition: What Mike said about this Soap Opera bullcrap.
Russell Wilson runs a pro offense now. Fran Tarkenton ran one decades ago. Roger Staubach himself, for that matter, was a scrambler who learned. Moving on? Mishandling? Oh, puh-leez!
Those there are olympic-calibre conclusion-leapers!
Another writer was analyzing the roster, and went right past assuming that Justin Gilbert had no shot at starting opposite Joe Haden, and assumed that he'd compete for the nickel position.
After all, the slot corner is the third-best cornerback, right?
Jeez. Because Gilbert has exceptional speed, and quickness for his size, he could cover some slot recievers, but at least three other cornerbacks on this roster project better in that role.
They are shorter, smaller, and quicker. Because most slot recievers are shorter, smaller, and quicker--see how this works?
Gilbert could be used situationally for the few teams that use bigger guys in the slot, but you don't want him trying to cover a Hawkins or a Gabriel when he can't even jam them.
Gilbert, if he doesn't win the starting slot, can be used in a kind of safety role, and situationally for Hartline-type slot guys, but isn't a slot cornerback. Nor is Desir, so don't even start that either.
I respect Alex Mack's honesty and position. Pat Kirwan has decided he "wants out" and colors him gone, but Pat has a Steelers shrine in his basement. Until recently, when somebody said "Browns", he would sniff audibly--get it? What else is brown? Haha. How sophisticated.
No, Mack and Joe Thomas are good friends. He has other friends here, and this is not, in reality, a bad place to play.
Alex mentioned one thing: Winning. I get that. McCown is the starter for now, Johnny is a question mark, and Mack is sick of losing. Even if the Browns win ten games this season, he still has to wonder about the future--unless Manziel (or even Connor Shaw) has taken the field and really proven something.
But I think he'll leave anyway. It's the money. Somebody massively overpaid another center, and he'll probably be offered over a three million dollar per year raise by at least one other team. Top ten left tackle money.
Some fans think a GM should just pay players whatever they ask. That is stupid.
Unlike Dizzy Cameron, I'll really miss Alex if he leaves. I try not to resent the fact that all these guys place money over everything else and rarely, if ever, take even four percent less to stay where their home and friends are.
Picking Cam Erving was a really smart move. He can be as good a center as Mack, and for that matter could eventually take over for Joe Thomas.
Terrence West will indeed be more consistent and complete in his second season. I hope Jerry Jones notices.
Travis Benjamin is back 100% from his surgery. I hope other teams notice him too. And for that matter, Hawkins.
Here's the thing: This year's Browns will most likely use two tight ends a lot, and two backs a lot, sometimes with Duke Johnson in the slot. Malcolm Johnson will force his way onto the field.
This means they probably can't carry more than five wide recievers, and there isn't much room for a true slot reciever here. Either of the Johnsons or Housler will often take that slot (pun intended).
They've been lining Andrew Hawkins up in the backfield, which might be telling. They back the little guy off the line to make a jam impossible and give him room.
I assume that Taylor Gabriel will do the same stuff. Gabriel is very much like Hawk, except lower on his growth-curve, younger, physically stronger, and much, much cheaper so...
Anyway these are experiments. They're trying to see if they can find alternative ways to use the little speedsters, because if they're strictly slot guys, that's a problem.
Any of them can return punts, and Duke Johnson can return kicks. All of them have played X and Y reciever with moderate success despite their shrimpdom, but they're limited there, as I described is a previous entry:
They're not good vertical targets, and there are some routes that defenders can "write off" with them. The taller guys can run the whole tree, and can't be "keyed" that way.
I believe that Bowe and Hartline are sticking around.
Josh Lenz could be a sleeper. He's a former running back and had a bad quarterback in college. He's much faster and more explosive than advertised.
Vince Mayle was just drafted. One or both of these guys could go to the practice squad, but there's at least a 50/50 chance one of them makes the cut.
This would leave two slots, assuming they keep five wide recievers. For now, I believe that Travis Benjamin is low man on that totem pole.
Benjamin had one bad year, and has real value as a returner and even as a reciever, but other GMs will know that he's probably going to get released.
Hawk, on the other hand, offers a lot more leverage. He might fetch a third round pick. Then keep Benjamin and see what you can do with him.
I really like Hawk, and know he's the better player. But this is business. Any time you're going to have to start cutting good players, you look at that position group and see if you can get something for them. Age, contract term, money, and comparative talent are all factors here.
That's why I proposed the Terrence West trade. I like him a lot too, but believe that Crowell is better, and Duke Johnson is different AND better as well. They've said they really like Glen Winston, and I take them at their word.
Winston is interesting, because he's 6'2", which is a skyscraper compared the the other backs. The way Flip is trying to use backs as recievers, his physical dimensions would help a whole lot. MUCH bigger catch radius. He's like Greg Little (scary, huh?)
The idea of Crowell or West in the slot isn't very interesting, but Winston? Hmmm!
Of course, it would help if he can catch.
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