Some of today's roster cuts surprised me, but that happens every year. Some how, some way, all of us are wrong.
Brantley was the big surprise. I'd expected him to make it.
The new guy who beat him out comes from the Saints for a 7th round pick: Devaroe Lawrence.
All I've dug up on him so far comes from the linked article. The quotes by Saint coaches upon first signing him (despite an injury which would cost him the 2017 season) said/implied that he's an explosive penetrator.
At that time, he was listed at around 6'1", 297 lbs. He looked good during preseason, but it looks like the Saints found him expendable. Dorsey spent the extra 7th rounder to nail him down before other teams could compete with him, so obviously Gregg Williams likes Devaroe a lot.
Devon Cajuste lost out to veteran journeyman tight end Orson Charles. He's 6'3", 257 lbs (about DeValve's size). He hasn't done much to date as a receiver, so he has to be a good blocker.
Vitale was also released, leaving Todd Haley's offense fullbackless. Just as DeValve has worked out of the backfield, they'll probably try Charles there.
I liked Cajuste a lot, but then nobody outside the organization noticed Charles. Obviously, he was doing something right.
That is four tight ends--and that's partly due to the special teams rules changes...and probably because the left tackle will need help sometimes.
Dayes...I'm a little stunned by that one. The Browns are now down to three running backs. That's a tough position (shortest carreer expectancy in the NFL), and if you intend to run the ball a lot, you need more.
Normally, running teams carry at least four running/fullbacks, and many carry five. The Browns may be eyeballing another free agent, and be trying to get Dayes onto their practice squad, but I would simply have kept him. He's virtually interchangable with Duke Johnson.
Well, they had their reasons. I don't have much experience coaching or running an NFL team, so...
Nate Orchard's release isn't really that big a surprise, given the depth at both defensive end and linebacker he was up against in Gregg Williams' scheme.
Drango's release was almost predictable, as Austin Corbett can do everything he did better.
Earl Watford is a guy they liked better as well. He started out in 2013. At that time, his mechanics sucked, but he's managed to survive in the NFL this long, so he must not suck.
Jeremiah McKinnon's outstanding performance throughout the preseason was ignored by all the pundits, but not by the coaches. Not surprised he made it, because he earned it.
Unlike Orchard and Dayes (through no fault of their own--they didn't get as many opportunities), McKinnon was consistently tough from start to finish.
I like Mike Jordan, and obviously had hopes for Dorsey pick Simeon Thomas, but they didn't do enough. Dorsey will probably try to sneak Thomas onto the practice squad, because he has great upside.
Jermaine Grace held on as the sixth "linebacker". For the Hurricanes, at 6'1", 209 lbs I deduce that he did Jabrill Peppers stuff. He's really more like Peppers and Kindred than he is like the other five linebackers.
Grace has weighed in as high as 223 lbs, but in his case that may or may not be a good thing, because it might undermine his speed and agility. Bigger isn't always better.
He can cover and blitze. Sideline-to-sideline run-and-hit. Surpisingly strong for his size (like 0% bodyfat ya no?)
Anyway congratulations Jermaine...I think (they're not done making moves yet).
The Bills cut Corey Coleman. Looks like Philly might have won the Wentz trade (not sure yet--need to check out the 20 or so other players the Browns got out of it).
Charlie Weiss doesn't like the fact that Hue Fisher tried to prevent Baker Mayfield from getting first-team reps.
Charlie says that unless the Browns actually win a game or two, public pressure will force a Mayfield start by game three.
He's wrong. Baker's second team offensive line is irrelevant. He's had Callaway, Chubb (interchangeable with Hyde), and Higgins consistently, and like I said, Josh Gordon is the most quarterback-freindly wide receiver in the NFL.
The kid learns at light-speed (to which Charlie himself attests) and is unflappable.
Meanwhile, Tyrod Taylor DOES need all those reps, and deserves them, too. I don't think Charlie is being objective about this. Even in game four, Mayfield was so-so; he's not going to pass Tyrod Taylor up overnight; Taylor is still better than Mayfield 1.0.
Charlie also seems to think us Browns fans are a bunch of reactionary morons who cheer when our quarterback is inj...throw bott...nevermind but in 2018 we're really not!
Doesn't almost everybody GET this? Max out the seasoned vet, who has never had this kind of defense or supporting cast, while the new kid learns the ropes in the nursery?
Are you going to start the "Bay-ker! Bay-ker!" chant in game THREE already, even if the Browns lose the first two?
I think the majority of 2018 Browns fans are sentient enough not to blame a quarterback who never throws interceptions for everything bad that happens.
Charlie would tell me that Mayfield is more aggressive, and pulls games out; that he's more accurate. He's already said "Look, you know he's the future anyway, and he looks ready right now, so why not get him in there?"
But Charlie Weiss has already written the Browns off as playoff contenders in 2018, see? If he was right about that, he'd be right about Tyrod vs Mayfield.
But John Dorsey, Todd Haley, and Gregg Williams beg to differ. THEY intend to win RIGHT NOW.
Charlie expects the Steelers and Saints to beat the Browns. Dorsey/Haley/Williams never got that memo (and don't give a shit if you're laughing at them).
Us fans? I think most of us GET that winning one of those two games is a tall order, but also that Haley's system and a couple offensive linemen are new, and that the zebras are going to screw our guys (at least vs the Steelers).
We're not going to blame Tyrod Taylor unless he screws up, and Tyrod NEVER screws up. He can and Will (actually must) go deep under Dorsey and with these receivers.
Charlie Weiss is underestimating Tyrod Taylor, possibly the most talented team in the NFL, and US.
...well I hope the "us" part is right. I read the "comments" on Browns' articles, and find a majority of sentient fans who (with UNdue respect) discredit permabashers almost 25% as effectively as I could (which is plenty, because they lead with their chins--or asses, maybe. Because they're dumbasses).
Most of us get that 2018 is different. Screw yourself if you just said "we say that every year". John Dorsey and Todd Haley are the real deal (not to mention Gregg Williams).
If you can find a "hole" in this roster, or recycle that "lack of playmakers" crap in 2018, I'll help write your commitment papers.
If anybody is chanting anything in 2018, it will be "FIRE! HUE! FIRE! HUE!"
And that will only happen if he overrides Haley, or otherwise interferes during games, and screws it up (and he probably will. Hard Knocks exposed him. He HAS to "mark his territory" and make sure everybody knows who's the boss.)
Hue is insecure. I don't think he's capable of keeping a low profile and leaving his three coordinators alone during games. He's afraid people will think he's not a great leader of men, so he'll have to override this, make unusual decisions at critical moments, override that.
I work for somebody like that now. Worst boss ever. The players all love Hue. His assistant coaches do NOT.
Stand by. Hue will probably find a way to get fired in-season, even if the team is doing okay. Haley/Williams won't obey his "gag-orders". They'll say "I was going to do this but was overruled". And they'll be in Haslam's face too. Stand by.
But I digress: A couple posts ago, I started telling you why the Browns have a shot at upsetting the Steelers in game one.
Stand by haha
THIS JUST IN on Lawrence Devaroe (sharp, deep, concise analayis by a Saints writer. Read that and the comments. This guy is pretty good!!!)
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