I had thought that Gabriel had done enough to stick around, but apparently he and Jennings both hit the dusty trail, while Hawkins hung on. Gordon's suspension is a blessing in disguise, since the staff will have four regular season games to figure out who he knocks off the roster. Right now my money is on the oldest and smallest receiver.
I'm glad to see that both Don Jones and Tracy Howard made it in the secondary. Both of them had proven they belong in the NFL, and Hue Jackson proved to me again that he runs a meritocracy here.
Remember Marty? Great coach, except for personnel. Young unknowns need not apply. Experienceexperienceexperience, even if you're washed up. Hue keeps and plays guys based on ability and performance only. How refreshing!
Two more examples are Dominique Alexander (I had been overlooking him; big sleeper who earned his spot) and Cam Johnson.
Alexander is a tackling machine (290 in 39 games!). I can't research him too heavily now, since he's low on the totem pole and not known as a passrusher.
Scooby Wright made it. Good. Great depth at linebacker here!
This is telling: Ogbah, Orchard, and Johnson are 3-4 outside linebacker types, but the fourth is Joe Schobert, who is a real linebacker. If Ray Horton intended to rely heavily on a 3-4 base, he'd want a fourth large person to fill out the depth.
This could well be more 4-3 than 3-4. This made more and more sense, as first Des Bryant went down, then Kruger was cut, then Paea was signed.
Really, this defensive front might defy classification. What do you call a front with three down linemen and two more big people just as close to the line, except standing up? And actually, who cares?
Armonty Bryant looks like he might also knock one of these guys off the roster when he returns.
I admit that I never saw Ray using him as an inside down lineman coming, but I don't feel stupid, since niether would most other NFL coaches.
He has to be a designated passrusher in this role, since guards and centers would crush him on runs. I'm glad Ray thinks outside the box.
I wonder who gets kicked to the curb when he comes back. Tee-hee...so do the defensive linemen, doncha know!
Competition is a good thing. Now that Paea is here, Xavier Cooper needs to bring it on. I'm not sure even John Hughes is safe! Paea too: He may be a contract year player. If so, guarantee or no guarantee he bounces if he's not doing his best (hope he knows that).
The Schobert thing...well he can definitely rush the passer, but with him on the weak side, he can also be effective stopping the run, and rather than dropping back and waving his arms around like the big guys, he can actually cover.
Horton seems to have settled on the best balance between stopping the run and stopping the pass here. Schobert himself might have forced it.
We could see a lot of Ogbah with his hand in the dirt (opposite Hassan) with Schobert standing up behind him.
The inside linebackers are capable players. I assume Kirksey is on the weakside, and will cover a lot. He's not a great run-stuffer but can blitze.
Remember, Ray Horton doesn't fit in a box. Inside pressure is actually better than outside pressure. He hasn't sent Kirksey much in preseason, but he will when it counts. Kirksey's ability to rush the passer might be the one reason why he is listed as a starter.
Demario Davis looks like the middle linebacker, when a middle linebacker is called for.
I need to save my pennies so I can subscribe to PFF like Pluto, because I wonder about Nate Orchard. It seems like he might be a Kimerion Wimbley type, who is actually a better linebacker than defensive end; who can play in space, set the edge, and stop the run as well as rush the passer.
Strongside 3-4 outside linebackers do need to be big and strong (check), but most defensive ends can't stop and start, or change directions well enough to fill that role in a 4-3. Wimbley was a little smaller and faster than Orchard, but...
I'm in the weeds here: The transactions aren't even over yet. While I've been blabbering here, the Browns might have already nabbed 3-4 castoffs from other teams and dumped some of the same guys I just talked about.
One article I saw mantra'd that "unfortunately" the Browns cut players who will never play again, take other teams' castoffs and play them.
Once again, that's history. The Steelers traded for Gilbert, the Saints fell on Kruger like starving wolves, and every wide receiver will find a place. Like Paea, this regime will probably sign guys 28 and under who were salary cap and system match cuts, and not old guys ready to retire.
Speaking of which, it's fine with me that Gramps Williams was retained, since this team is very thin at cornerback and he is tall and doesn't suck yet (my luck they just signed a corner and cut him).
Anyway Hughes, Kirksey, and Orchard seem to be the only front seven carryovers from last season, so quit running around hollering we're all gonna die ok? Sashi, Paul, and Hue are just getting started here, ok? Give them a freaking minute or two, ok?
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