Thursday, August 11, 2016

Des Bryant, X Cooper, and Ray Horton

Thanks to Mary Kay, now I know that X Cooper is replacing Des Bryant.  Mary said "at right defensive end", but had to have meant left.  The left defensive end plays on the offense's right side.

I stand corrected.  Cooper has the quickness and range, but suffers a reach disadvantage vs offensive tackles.

Ray won't have him doing the exact same things as Des did.  He's already modified things to adapt to the shorter guy.

Mary Kay's article quotes Horton extensively, and shed more light on where he's at and what he plans.  He says they're still in the experimental phase, and trying to find the best defense for the current personnel.

He mentions a 4-3 as one of the possibilities for the base, but as is his wont, Horton will keep throwing knuckleballs and curves at opposing offenses down-by-down.

Ogbah's switch to defensive end really isn't a switch.  As I've mentioned, he's a 4-3 defensive end and a 3-4 outside linebacker.

Mingo's occasional moves inside are interesting, and hasn't surprised me much.  I look forward to seeing how it works out.  No predictions.

Des Bryant has a legitimate point about getting paid something this season.  Per the contract, the Browns owe him Zippo, but he was working out, and there is a moral issue here.

Unfortunately, Des will be 31 years old next season, and makes a lot of money.  Business is business, and he may be released.

Aw, quit your whining!  His replacements are already on the roster, and by this time next season, one or more of them will be better than the old guy coming back from a serious injury.

I'm as big a Des fan as anybody else, but a front office can't get sentimental.  The 2016 Browns really are like an expansion team in many ways, and old guys won't be around by the time they're ready to contend.




No comments: