Veteran Days Off: Common Sense.

1: Giving Joe Thomas or any older veteran days off is common sense.  The "leadership" stuff coming from even former players is irrational, and maybe even juvenile.

If you're smart enough to use three-syllable words, you're smart enough to understand that those old knee joints and that old spine don't need to take unnecessary wear and tear because you are jealous.

You want to take a year off Joe's career.  You want to prevent his backups from getting reps which he needs like a hole in the head.  You define "leadership" as a Hall of Famer suffering next to you even though it's just plain stupid.

Even though it increases the likelihood that he'll be injured and lost to you AND that the guy who replaces him won't be ready.

Thank God the players on this team aren't like you.

Any football player who has proven himself, and obviously doesn't need to learn or refine anything, should have days off to preserve his health and prolong his career.

Second and third string guys who are learning and do need refinement should take those reps.  This is obvious.  Think with your brain.  I'm glad Hue Jackson uses his.

2: In a slow news week, there's a whole lot of redundant re-reporting about the Browns plans to rely on a strong running game.

This seemed a pretty obvious strategy to me since the middle of last season or so.  But as the articles point out, this is how Hue Jackson rolls anyway.

Several weeks ago, before the draft, Hue Jackson was asked how to turn a quarterback into a franchise quarterback.  To paraphrase Hue's answer: "Establish a strong running game.  Build a strong defense.  Get him reliable receivers.  Protect him."

All quite valid answers, and don't think for a minute he was kidding.

Hue Jackson had a great deal to do with how the Browns Draft was conducted.  Hue was all-in with building up the team around the quarterback, even though it meant passing up Carson Wentz (and Paxton Lynch).

3: The ingredients of a strong running game are here, including the offensive linemen.

Why are you rolling your eyes?  Run-blocking is much easier for an offensive lineman than pass-protection.

It's much easier to turn any given five starters into good run-blockers than pass-protectors.

Pat Kirwan can tell you, it requires a commitment by the coaches, more than anything else.  THIS is the hard part, because the reps spent on running take away from the reps spent practicing pass protection.

A mentality and attitude has to be established.  It's not fancy--even in a zone scheme.  It's about winning personal battles in the trenches.  Confidence.  Determination.  Anger.  Attitude.

But what about pass protection, you axe.  Good point.  Read my next entry.