I'm late to the Poyer party, but can't say I'm surprised that he's progressed into a guy who can step in and play safety. It's a little embarrassing, since I'm constantly reminding everybody that young players (if they are dedicated) improve dramaticly through their first three seasons.
I invented the term MM (Memorex Moron) to describe typical fans who ignore this. If the guy isn't already a starter, he's dead to them. The memorex part comes in when they see him screw up. Just once. As a rookie.
For some, that even includes Justin Gilbert.
That's more the "moron" part.
But I digress: Andrea Hangst (Bleacher Report) wrote a fine article projecting the floors and cielings of the more prominant Browns' 2015 rookies.
Andrea might read this blog. I made the mistake of sending them and the Dawg Pound Daily my link, and tend to be impressed by writers who "catch up" to me later.
Anyway, this was objective and insightful.
I hadn't known that Flip had penciled Cam Erving in at right guard for now (thanks A). I was pretty sure that they'd put him at right tackle, but DeFelippo and company know a little more about it than I do.
It's still quite possible that he moves one slot to his right later on, since he has to actually outperform the vastly more experienced 11th-best guard in the NFL in 30-year-old John Greco.
As good as Erving is, as a rookie he might not manage that.
I suspect that the rationale is that Greco is 30 years old, and can play several positions. As a utility guy, Greco could prolong his career, and represents outstanding depth.
Mitchell Schwartze is the weak link here, and as I cited in my previous blog, he'll never have the "feet" he needs to deal with edge-rushers.
But Flip plans to use tight ends and an H-back a lot, and they can help with protection. He plans to run (and dump off) a lot, and pushing people around is one thing Schwartze does quite well.
The guy Andrea sees in greatest danger is ILB Hayes Pullard, and she's right.
But even she doesn't realize that Scott Solomon is a true linebacker, and can play (well) inside if not called on to cover.
We all know about Kirksey, Robertson, and Dansby here, but Tank Carder (much like Jordan Poyer) has been making some waves of his own.
Another factor is the fact that while a 3-4 is the base defense, the nature of modern offenses will keep that off the field more often than not, as nickel and dime defenses are called for.
One of the inside linebackers is often off the field, and at times both are replaced by defensive backs. The active roster on any given sunday will feature four inside linebackers at most.
My guess is that three is the more likely number because of Solomon and Mingo.
Yes, Mingo, because he can cover tight ends and even some recievers better than any other linebacker on the roster.
Interesting to note that Andrea gives running back Luke Lundy a shot if he competes at fullback. He's a longshot, though. Too bad because he looks like he can play.
I may have sold Vince Mayle short due to shallow amateur scouting reports. He actually is a natural receiver with good hands. His drops were intermittent and had to do with concentration issues. His clock times also have little to do with his game-speed.
Dwayne Bowe is absolutely the perfect example/mentor for Mayle, as they're almost the same player physically. Bowe, while he became a pretty good wide receiver in the NFL, only arguably performed up to his draft status and pay for a couple seasons. With the benefit of his guidance here, Mayle could well do better.
My guess would be Bowe, Hartline, Gabriel, Hawkins and (at the bottom) Mayle.
I don't hate Travis Benjamin, but he's a probable casualty.
Flip keeps surprising me, so I can't guess how he'll use this crew. I assume that Mayle will only be used in spots and brought along slowly. All four of the other guys will see lots of action.
When DeFelippo first came on board, I didn't know what to think, but I now know that he's creative and thinks outside the box. The best coaches don't copy other people. Other people copy them.
This is why I believe that Terrelle Pryor has a chance. Hasn't Flip been fooling around with Hawkins in the backfield? If Josh Cribbs could run the wildcat, couldn't Pryor (and even throw the ball once in awhile)?
It's true that Pryor has a lot to learn, but his physical talent is above reproach. Outside the boxes and free of labels, Flip probably sees Pryor as a swiss army knife.
If he makes the final roster, they might call him a wide reciever, tight end, or h-back. Doesn't matter. He can do all of those things. Well...if he can catch, anyway.
Last season, Ray Farmer tried to sneak Charles Johnson onto the practice squad, and Minnesota was on him like white on rice. He developed into Teddy Bridgewater's favorite target, and the sky is his limit today.
Johnson had limited experience at wide receiver, and Pryor has zero, so that's different. But Pryor is bigger, taller, and faster. Johnson couldn't play tight end or H-back. And as a quarterback, Pryor at least knows how to make himself quarterback-friendly.
Because if he can catch, and Ray loses him, and in 2016 he tears up the NFL, I'll be on him like white on rice again.
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