It's been a tough few weeks for me in the trenches, in combat vs ignorance and stupidity in re the Browns, but I think my reinforcements have finally arrived (at least for now). My morale is also much higher, as I have found evidence of intelligent life in Cleveland.
This article by Peter Smith on Isaiah Crowell and his contract situation kind of shocked me. Peter has always impressed me, and often educated me, but this time, he kind of knocked me on my butt with a whole bunch of stuff I hadn't realized.
Peter thinks that a big reason why Hue Jackson didn't run the ball more in 2016 was because (Coach-speak aside), he realized he wasn't going to win much, and elected to preserve his running backs while developing his passing game.
Hue's plan seemed to be to pass early to get some points, then run to preserve the lead, according to Tony Grossi. But everything went down the crapper when Erving failed at center, and both starting guards went down.
Both theories have merit.
Pete figures the Browns place a low priority on the running back position, and are prepared to let Crowell leave and replace him with a draft pick.
As ruthless as this sounds, it is logical. Running backs are fairly common, and develop quickly.
I still don't like it, because I think Crow is truly exceptional. Sashi shouldn't be taking the numbers to this extreme. Besides, if he's under contract, he is tradeable.
Not knowing what the Crow camp is asking for, we can't be certain of anything. Based on his yards per carry, and his receptions, his agents may well be demanding top six money.
If that's the case, Peter is probably right. With this offensive line and scheme, a second or third round running back (plus Duke and George) could replace him in 2018.
Jeremy Maclin (29) was just released by the KC Chiefs. This was a salary cap move. Maclin missed games and played hurt last season. He can still play at a high level, and could certainly help the Browns. He should have at least two years left in his tank.
The problem is, he would be redundant with Corey Coleman. The two are quite similar players, except Coleman is faster.
Another problem is, while Terry Pluto et al wring their hands over third and fourth wide receivers, this offense will field either two tight ends or two running backs more often than not, and seldom a third wide receiver.
It's about money. Maclin knows that this will probably be his last contract, and he will have several bidders.
Kenny Britt is secure. He's the only big-target deep threat. He has to play. Coleman---if he can ever freaking stay freaking healthy--has to play. He can be better than Maclin.
Still another problem is Ricardo Louis. If they could get Maclin to accept number three money, it would mean this second year player might never even see the field.
So Maclin probably isn't coming to Cleveland.
Here is an excellent article on the Calvin Pryor trade, and what it means and doesn't mean. This is the first I've heard of this writer, Jeff Risdon, but I'm impressed by his insight.
Jeff correctly identifies the 4-2-5 defacto base defense, which makes Demario Davis a third wheel. He also points out that Pryor gets beat deep at free safety, and expecting him to play that position here is a tall order.
We can cross our fingers about that, but one thing he can do is punish people and stop the run, so he's a fit for Gregg Williams. Pryor is actually not a lot different from Jabrill Peppers, and there could be times we see both of them on the field at the same time.
As Grossi mentions, defining the defensive depth chart here will be a real challenge. Williams has his safety/linebacker hybrid, but also uses a strong safety. Both Peppers and Pryor can do both. If nothing else, this was a great depth move.
Much is being made of Hue Jackson's having called Brock Osweiler a "pleasant surprise". So that means he's the day one starter right?
Amazing. Grossi points out that DeShone Kizer got some first team reps. While making fun of the Osweiler thing, he is saying that Kizer is being brought along faster than expected.
Kizer first: Hue does want him to develop ASAP, and mixing him in with the ones is part of that. He did the same thing with Kessler last season, without ever intending to start him.
Osweiler is a lot more interesting. First, he remains on the market, and the Browns are ready to bribe somebody to give them a decent draft pick for him...so expect Hue to keep saying nice things about him (wink-wink-nudge-nudge).
However, I believe Hue is being sincere. But he's talking more about how he takes coaching and gets along with everybody than how he looks on the field.
There was definite conflict between him and O'Brien in Texas, and some of his teammates were less than complimentary. Apparently, since he has been here, Hue has seen none of that.
As you know, I'm a Rodney Kesslerfield fan, but I can't deny Osweiler's height advantage, stronger arm, greater experience, and durability.
I do think Hue is sincere, and that Brock will have a real shot at passing Kessler up. In fact, I see it as a close race.
I hope I'm ticking everybody off here. I know that some of you think Kessler is a career backup "at best" (you just love saying that don't you?), and some of you think Osweiler's performance in Houston is all there is to him. And some of you think they both suck.
But the fact is that Osweiler did what he did in Denver, as well as in Houston. You can't pretend it never happened...uh...why do you, by the way?
Nevermind. Anyway, that was Gary Kubiak. Kubiak runs a fairly simple passing game, and Osweiler played well for him. Contrary to Mary Kay Cabbot's delusions, Hue Jackson runs a similar system.
O'Brien runs the Patriots passing offense, and just can't seem to find his Tom Brady. Osweiler joins a long list of failures.
Conversely, every quarterback Gary Kubiak ever started seemed to be pretty good. Go figger!
Is any of this sinking in yet?
Osweiler's problem is his height. Just as Terrelle Pryor will never get much separation underneath, Osweiler's hands and feet can only move so fast. This is physics. Joe Flacco, who is two inches shorter, has some of the same problems. So did Derrick Anderson.
There is a reason why, to date, no quarterback over 6'5" has ever been regarded as elite in the NFL. It's harder for him to get rid of the ball quickly, or to re-set his feet. His mechanics are prone to disintegrate under pressure, and it's not even his fault.
In Denver, Brock understudied Peyton Manning. While Manning was like a coach on the field, Osweiler was trained as a timing passer. The timing was the timing...
Ok for illustrative purposes let's throw shotgun out and do drops from center. Ok well you got 3, 5, and 7 step drops. You take that many steps, plant your right foot, and throw.
You're supposed to do that even if you're checking down. You're supposed to scan the field as you fall back see?
Anyway the timing is the timing. Osweiler takes longer (but slower) steps naturally. So he had to shorten his strides to match his timing with that of his receivers.
He also had to throw from his ear a lot; no wind-up. He had to get the ball out quickly, often to short crossers and slanters.
For this skyscraper, everything has to be short and tight. If he has to scramble, it's not good.
However, he was really good in college, and solid in Denver, in a timing offense. Kessler is more accurate, and has a quicker release (when he pulls the damn trigger), and can salvage broken plays better.
But Osweiler can see the whole field, can attack deeper, and doesn't get hurt.
I still think Kessler will win this early contest, but hear this: Brock Osweiler will play more like he did in Denver than he did in Houston. BOTH of them will be above average. Yeah I said it! Go ahead make fun of me now!
Des Bryant is back, and Williams loves him. I've been predicting his release all along, but might be wrong. They might be trying to trade him instead.
It's going to be very hard for them to keep this venerable player when it means they have to cut a Cooper, Brantley, or Ogunjobi.
Reality sucks.
I like that Spencer Drango is filling in for Bitonio. This guy has turned out to be a terrific value, and already has a whole bunch of NFL starting experience. He can play both guard spots and right tackle.
I can't remember what PFF said about him after 2016, but I guess he was around average or above in his R O O K I E FIRST season. This was a terrific day 3 draft pick by this front office.
He's starting now partly because they want him to get used to Tretter, in case he has to fill in during the season.
Shon Coleman has the early lead over Cam Erving at right tackle. I kind of expect it to stay that way, but Erving is on his rookie contract. If not traded, he should make the team as the primary backup at right tackle, and an emergency guy at guard and center.
Now that Roderick Johnson is here to understudy Joe Thomas (and btw he'll get lots of reps on Big Joe's days off), there is great depth on this offensive line.
It's all coming together.
Pat McNanoman warns us that the Pryor trade doesn't neccessarily mean Gregg Williams will run his 4-2-5 defense. I sometimes just don't get Pat.
Gregg is eyeball deep in strong safeties as it is, including Campbell and Kindred. The fifth defensive back could be a nickel corner or a safety depending on the given opponent.
Since Pat never mentions free safety I just...well what is he talking about?
Pat also seems to expect Pryor not to make the final roster. This is possible, but the fact that he is so similar to Peppers (which he stipulates) and his salary say he is, at worst, quality depth at a unique hybrid position.
Nevermind. Keep your fingers crossed for an at least above average free safety to win the Derby. If that happens, Gregg has him a defense!
THIS JUST IN: The Browns are ranked 31st in ESPN'S power rankings.
I guess they're reading animal guts or bones or last year's record or something. It sure as hell doesn't involve critical thinking.
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