Comparing the respective college stats of Kizer, Kessler, and Prescott did make Kizer look pretty bad, but I need to point out that Kizer's sample size was much smaller, and he's earlier in his development curve than the other two were when they were drafted.
...which makes this writer absolutely correct that Kizer probably won't be ready any time soon.
A couple morons in Chicago think that only Tom Brady could be good in Cleveland. They differed on Laveon Bell. Dumb thought Belle could be good, but dumber feels he couldn't.
This goes to show you how utterly stupid NFL players can be. PFF just projected the 2017 Browns offensive line as the second best in the NFL. The Browns running backs averaged 4.9 ypc last season (Guess that means Crow and Duke are better than Belle huh?)
You people need to pay attention. These imbeciles are allowed to vote! (I think they're registered in Dementia-or maybe it's Oblivia someplace like that.)
And talk about glass houses! The Browns are going to Chicago in September. We'll see if Crow, Duke, and ? can somehow make it to the end of the game (You know, with that coaching and that offensive line? Looks grim, huh?)
Bring barf bags and mops. This won't be pretty.
Peter Smith wrote a typically outstanding piece on fullback Dan Vitale, and how he might fit into Hue Jackson's plans.
Peter thinks Hue Jackson is determined to use a power blocking scheme (as in not zone). I think he's assuming too much there, because Crow thrives in zone, zone is best for Tretter, Thomas, and both tight ends, and the other guys can do as well in either scheme.
Jackson is not a blockhead. I believe he favors the power scheme, but will use whatever works best.
A few notes on this: The power scheme is more complex than zone. Chemistry/synchronization takes longer. The idea is to predesignate a gap (or area) and blast everything out of the running back's way.
Crowell is a classic zone running back. Give him the ball on an angle to the right or the left, let him cruise a few steps to see what happens, pick a hole and dart through it. He's not nearly as effective when ordered to "go here" and simply get there afap. Zone backs thrive on chaos.
However, most teams use both power and zone blocking, and no doubt so will the Browns (especially since it will keep defenses guessing). As Pete points out, with Zeitler and (probably) Coleman, there's definitely some man-on-man power here.
But I digress: I have to admit, I had no idea that Vitale was as talented as he is. Pete did a much better job scouting him than the guys who wrote the other reports I'd read. Cliff notes:
4.6 at 239 lbs. Averaged over 10 yards per-catch (excellent for a fullback); and a reliable, prolific downfield receiver.
As Peter points out, however, so far he's not any kind of lead-blocker, and unless he becomes one, he's a gmf.
If the theories I expressed in my last post are correct, the Browns could carry up to five backs on the 53-man roster, and run a lot of 22 groupings. If Vitale is serious and dedicated to becoming a viable lead-blocker (which hint-hint he had better be), he could be a big part of that.
Vitale is a shade under 6'1", and is as much an H-back as a fullback. Peter calls him (potentially) a classic West Coast fullback.
It's almost spine-chilling to think about. You know Hue. He'll have this guy lining up in the slot, on top of everything else. Defensive coordinators could figure he's probably not going to take a handoff, but not much else. I mean, you could still get a 5-wide, with what amounts to three tight ends!
He's another monkey wrench, too: Front seven guys can read zone from power blocking quickly on runs, but coverage players read the backfield first. If they see Vitale moving forward with a running back behind him, they take angles to get them behind that fullback.
Well, if it's play-action, they're screwed, because both these players are receiving threats, and the 239 lb one is downfield first. If everybody else is zone-blocking, Vitale will still try to blast somebody, but the running back might not be anywhere near him when he makes his cut.
Vitale could become an excellent pass-protector, as well as a lead-blocker, and has the power to stop or reroute defensive ends or big linebackers.
Man, just think about the run, though: With two tight ends and a fullback, that's eight big blockers slamming into people and man, that's scary!
There is one irrefutable fact of life in football: Power trumps finesse. If you know we're going to run, and you still can't stop us, you are going to lose. You will wear down, and get weaker and slower, and it will get worse and worse as the game goes on.
...but of course the Browns desperately need to fill the glaring need at wide receiver...chuh.
The other three AFC North beat reporters weighed in on which Browns quarterback should start game one. As usual, Hensley (Ratbirds) was the dumbest. He declared that Kessler couldn't push the ball, and points to Osweiler's win/loss record.
No Cleveland Brown rookie or second year player dares fall asleep with Hensley around, because they're libel to wake up when the dirt starts hitting the coffin he stuffed them in.
Jeremy Fowler (Steelers) was insightful and smart, as usual, and pointed to Kessler, citing his superior accuracy and discretion.
Awhile ago, an unnamed NFL team "official" bashed the Browns for paying a guard (Zietler) as much as they did. I kind of shrugged that off at the time, but I have more info now:
Zietler is no longer the highest paid guard. Five left tackles (so far) make more than he does. At the time he signed, his contract was around 3% more than the next highest paid guard. The salary cap has just increased significantly (notice Carr got 25 mil/year "It wasn't about the money" just...shut up Derrick).
Perhaps more importantly, center and guard is more important for Hue Jackson's Browns than they are for other teams.
He intends to run the ball often and frequently. He does not (at this time) have an elite quarterback. He appears poised to use two tight ends, and Joe Thomas is his left tackle.
Defenses will focus on stopping the run first, and forcing the team to pass. That means run (inside) blitzes, to reroute or blow up runs, and get quick heat on a young qb who is supposed to get rid of the ball in under 2.3 seconds, and isn't a dangerous scrambler.
The interior linemen are more important here than elsewhere, and Zietler's experience in a Hue Jackson system was also worth a small premium.
Just as players can be idiots, so can nameless NFL team officials. -Thunk!- (that was the mike I just dropped) (Don't ask me why I needed a microphone to write a blog).
I just found out I was spelling Ricardo Louis's last name right in the first place. After reading about 3 articles that all spelled it Lewis, I went back and changed all my references to his name to that spelling.
I'm not doing that again. Sorry.
Anyway Al Saunders omitted obligitory "he's just got to" discaimer in his summation of how Louis has looked to him this preseason, and this means more than most think. This big, strong, fast guy is one of the many reasons the Browns ignored wide receiver this offseason
Slow news week. That's all I got.
.......okbye
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