Cleveland Browns Stuff

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!