I was going to write about how the Steelers have proven themselves beatable, and the Browns could win.
It had to do with their vulnerability to the run, the extra days off/Hue Jackson, Jamie Collins, the emergence of a real pass rush...
I just can't do it. As atrocious as this defense has been, how can I? I read an article "The Browns are Really, Really, Really Bad":
It wasn't as bad as I had expected, but still lumped the offense in with the defense, and dismissed Cody Kessler without even mentioning him. Lazy writers generalize.
Real analysis is detailed and thorough. Unfortunately, it bores most people. That's why it takes mentally ill people like me to do it, and then I have to self-edit to try not to bore my own readers too much when I write about it.
Suffice it to say the Browns defense has been so horrific in 2016 that it masks a decent offense. If we could take a scalpel and surgically remove the fourth quarter (along with the defense), it would look really good.
I have my fingers crossed. Beat the Steelers, then who cares?
I read this aricle on draft prospects, and decided it's not too early for me to start watching some college football. The Browns have five top 75 draft picks, including two in the first round and the first overall.
Myles Garrett is the consensus Browns pick at first overall. He is a franchise-altering, perhaps generational talent. With Ogbah, Nassib, Kirksey, and Shelton already here, and ideally Jamie Collins re-signed, this one player could seriously upgrade every part of this defense.
The quarterbacks have all fallen off somewhat, except for Mitch Trubisky, who has come out of no where at North Carolina. He wasn't even on the radar prior to this season.
I already learned what's "wrong" with him: He doesn't have a cannon arm. He does have a good arm, and can and does make all the throws, but not having a Derrick Anderson arm will turn off a lot of amateur pundits and casual fans (and of course Phil Simms).
Also, he only has ten starts to-date, and runs a shotgun spread (both legitimate question marks). But he is highly intelligent, decisive, and accurate; 70-plus percent with perfect placement. He can run around pretty good too (runs some read option).
DeShaun Watson has actually fallen out of the first round, but Kizer remains at or near the top (with Trubisky) of what is now being called a deep quarterback class lacking elite talent.
It's ok. That's what they said about last year's quarterbacks.
Jabrill Peppers is another freak who can play multiple positions and would upgrade the secondary.
I have no idea what the Browns will do, because we don't know enough about Cody Kessler yet, or if there's a Dak Prescott lurking under the stats.
Don't tell Grossi I said this, but trading down is a possibility.
Normally, I always want to do this if a quarterback isn't right there, but this Garrett guy is actually worth that pick. ...I mean, unless you can get a Trubisky/Kizer AND a Jabrill Peppers AND a stud right tackle instead...
I'm going to try to watch North Carolina, Texas A&M, and/or Michigan (and stuff) so I can have positive stuff to write about and retain my infernal optimism.
Early report on Garrett: His highlight tapes make it look like nobody bothered to block him. He's just that quick. Twice, he got right up to the mesh-point of a read-option play, stood there til he saw who came away with the ball, and tackled him right there. Once it was the running back, then it was the quarterback.
Who else can stand still like that, then tackle a fast guy who is already running? Wow!
No comments:
Post a Comment