I haven't yet seen Episode 2 of Hard Knocks, but had planned to write about TE Devon Cajuste anyway:
Devon's history make him look a lot like Seth DeValve, as he was a wide receiver at Stanford who has been converted to tight end/H-back.
He was signed undrafted first by the Niners, but spent time with the Packers.
Scouts fixated on Cajuste's 40 time (4.62 at the Combine, 4.55 on his Pro Day), but his 3-cone drill was outstanding for a 6'4", 236 lb athlete. His broad jump and high jump also showed a lot of explosion.
CBS Sports had the sense to project Cajuste as an H-Back or tight end, and give him a fifth round grade.
As usual, Cajuste's weight is listed the same as where it was at his combine, while he's actually certain to have packed on more muscle; he's probably around where Njoku is.
Devon is generally considered a longshot to make the Browns final roster, but he has a real chance:
As I've mentioned, per Pat Kirwan and other real experts, rules changes on kickoffs will alter the types of personnel used on those units, hence the depth chart.
Per Pat, this could effect two or three slots at the bottom of active rosters. Instead of extra cornerbacks or wide receivers, teams could hold onto extra tight ends and/or 4-3 defensive ends/3-4 OLB's.
This means that the Browns could go to war with four tight ends (and five defensive ends).
But there are other reasons for Cajuste to make the final cut:
Cajuste not only has an inch in height on Seth DeValve, but longer limbs (proportionally) and better overall athletic measurables.
I'm a big DeValve fan, as you know, but also analytical and objective:
DeValve can never be very reliable or successful as an in-line blocker, because he's up against taller guys who specialize in exploiting their reach to keep him off them.
Cajuste can do all the passcatching stuff DeValve does, plus block in-line. Cajuste is likewise also a bigger target than DeValve.
Cajuste isn't going to pass up DeValve in 2018 as a pure receiver/H-back, and the pile of muscles ( DeValve) will remain a defacto fullback option...
Interesting thought: Maybe by 2019, DeValve becomes THE fullback/H-back (and utility guy), while a more seasoned Cajuste becomes Njoku's backup.
The prospect of keeping five defensive ends also looks good to me, given this roster.
As I've mentioned, Carl Nassib is different, with more size and exceptional length. Gregg Williams won't kick him to the curb lightly, because he's a monkey-wrench/curveball he can include in unique packages to make things harder for opposing offenses.
...oh yeah and he doesn't suck and is still young and ascending.
Nate Orchard also doesn't suck, and can literally line up anywhere in the front seven. Massively underrated. "Blamed" for injuries and scheme/position-changes that set him back for the ignorant masses. (I assume YOU aren't an ignorant mass, but if you are, get out ahead of the chemo, ok?)
Dorsey signed Chris Smith from Cinci, and drafted Chad Thomas. I like both these players, because they stop the run as well as rush the passer, and can blow things up inside.
So it could come down to Nate or Carl, and I oh! Waitaminnit! Could Thomas make it to the practice squad? Might Orchard make it as that third special teams guy (ie the Browns keep SIX defensive ends?)
Well, as-is, Gregg Williams has four real defensive tackles (you know 300-plus lbs and able to two-gap and stuff?)
But in reality, Williams probably won't use more than one of these guys about 33% of the time, and one of the extra defensive ends will line up inside (remember: both Smith and Thomas can play inside, like Nassib...and Garrett and Ogbah? Well there is a pattern here, and this is who Williams told Dorsey he wants).
So (special teams aside), adding the 33% use of defensive ends at defensive tackle to the normal rotation justifies a fifth defensive end, and a sixth from there isn't a big reach.
If it sounds like I'm "reaching" here, not really:
Gregg Williams is doing exactly this. He wants the best 25-26 football players he can get, regardless of what position they play, and if he likes Nassib and Orchard, he is looking for excuses to keep both of them too.
Peeling another layer off this onion, ten defensive linemen (4 dts and 6 des) leaves 15-16 slots.
Well if you think a 4-3 base defense requires more than 6 linebackers, you're nuts (another input from Captain Obvious).
Checking out the current linebackers, we got Schobert, Kendricks, Collins, Kirksey, Genard, Burgess...Bello? Whatever. Now we got (at least) NINE slots left for the back end, you see?
Still with me here? Okay well, Nate Orchard is a decent linebacker, especially on the strong side. In Williams' scheme, he could...
Too deep in the weeds here sorry to bore you:
I read this snarky analysis of Hard Knocks episode 2 and can redeem myself:
Without having seen the show yet, I can already tell you that Hue Jackson isn't "confused" or clueless, just because Haley and Williams are louder and pushier than he is.
You guys know I call Hue Hue Fisher/Palmer/Lewis for reasons, and am not a fan of his, but he's not confused or clueless.
Anybody who isn't clueless can tell you that just as thc remains in your system for several weeks, the resinous deposits of. the heathen devil weed remain in vehicles for weeks after the last "smokage", and that cops (who don't smoke pot) can smell it.
The Strongsville cop was not a DOG, so I can assure you that he did not smell any leafy green substance rolled up in a baggie.
What's that Captain Obvious? Obviously Callaway pissed in several cups and came up clean for at least the NFL, if not the cops.
Actually, the arresting officer was correct, and the snarky clueless writer was wrong: Callaway's explanations were plausible.
This clueless writer included Hue Jackson's conditional acceptance of Callaway's police report/urinalyisis-confirmed story as evidence of how "clueless" Hue is.
This is a budding Rhona LaCanfora writing this bullshit, and I can't stand these people.
Upon further review, furthermore, I heard that Callaway puked after his big play in the 4th quarter, so maybe Jackson's punishment (for not reporting his bust) wasn't as dumb as it seemed.
NFL wide receivers (including Julio Jones) rotate, because they essentially run wind-sprints on every snap, even when they're decoys or blockers. Callaway had sore ribs, too.
As of my last post, I thought this "punishment" by Hue was goofy, but now I think that only his explanation of it was goofy.
This annoys me about Hue: He's a sound-byte machine (or substitute "oh god not AGAIN" cliche-factory).
He's working hard. He still has a long way to go. We've seen flashes. He's working hard. That's what we're looking for. But he has a long way to go.
Blahblahblah I can't read anything any of these coaches say in public anymore, because it's meaningless garbage/pap.
...Every team in the NFL tries to pacify their fans with this same crap, often verbatum.
This is why, if you want to see what's really going on, you should utterly ignore all the press-conferences, take the Mary Kay Cabbotts (less so the Tony Grossis) with a grain of salt.
You should instead find somebody who is not dependant on or affiliated with the Cleveland Browns, and knows what he's talking about hmmm...
Who might that be?
Captain Obvious says ME, goddammit!
Thank you thank you, but it's not hard for me to be humble:
I thought Kevin Hogan should have started over Kizer out of the gate, and still think so.
I backed Paul DePodesta (with Hue Jackson's contractually dictated approval) on the trade-down from Wentz, but Corey Coleman was only one part of that trade; the core of this team came after him off that trade.
Baker Mayfield will be better than Wentz. In 2018, Tyrod Taylor will at least be a match for him. Njoku and Ward oknevermind you people need to listen to ME, OK?
Happy Hour is over so I need to close out soon, but:
The 2018 Browns need Dez Bryant like they need a hole in their head (from a sniper I mean), and are utterly devoid of "holes" (real or hallucinated) on their roster okay well left tackle is different, but still not a hole, dammit)
If John Dorsey can be restrained now (time to "interfere", Jimmy!), the (unfidgeted with) 2018 Browns can contend for the playoffs (if not the Division title) in 2018.
Dorsey and Landry are both wrong, and I am right, about Dez Bryant. And yes, Captain Obvious has my back here too. What's that Captain? I concur! Because it's OBVIOUS.
I can translate Hue Jackson's dancing and prancing around Dez Bryant for you: If Dez will sign for the minimum salary and accept being the fourth wide receiver and hardly even playing in 2018, well then it might work...and good for Hue by the way.
...can't find a big finish here...okbye
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