Tuesday, February 26, 2019

John Dorsey Doesn't Want to Replace Good Players With Worse Players. D U H.

The instant I heard that the Bengals had John Ross on the trading block, I knew that as soon as I checked on line, somebody would be pushing for Dorsey to go get him.

There's one in every crowd.

I have to admit that I am mildly interested, since Andy Dalton is no Baker Mayfield, Ross has two years (plus a fifth year option) on his rookie deal, and it's early to throw in the towel on this guy.

Still, his catch-rate is deplorable, and the Browns have lots of receivers (I mean here on this planet).

To that end, let me describe to you how the Kitchens/Monken offense might shake out with guys currently on the roster.

Call it the UFO Offense:

Personnel Group A: DeValve, Njoku, Callaway, Landry, and Duke.

That's "12 personnel"; a nominal run-set, except Defenses seeing Duke might keep a nickel in.  If it's Chubb instead, they go base.

Anyway, when the huddle breaks, this can turn into anything Kitchens wants, and if Mayfield sees a weakness in how the defense lines up, he can move somebody.

This could be a conventional two-tight end one-back run-set, Set DeValve back at fullback or H-back as a two-back, three-wide, four-wide, or empty backfield five-wide (*Chubb can play in the slot--watch and learn*).

Former wide receiver Seth DeValve and Njoku can each line up outside...err...by the way they're big and tall, ya no.  Hard to miss?

Callaway and Njoku had some drops early in 2018, but by the last several games became quite reliable, and (cross your fingers) this really should continue.

Callaway is a complete receiver, as well as a back-shoulder type burner.  He can run every pattern.  He can catch bombs, or turn short passes into home runs.

Duke is Duke, but you haven't seen the best of Nick Chubb yet; He can do everything Todd Gurley does.  Stand by!

If you people could please get your heads out of your labels and boxes, you would be able to comprehend why this offense doesn't need a big/tall X receiver, or a Joe Thomas Left Tackle.

This hypothetical personnel group was a "base" grouping.  Variants would include one of the freaking FOUR 6'2"-plus wide receivers on the current roster, or Darrin Fells instead of DeValve, but in every case it could deploy as anything from a smashmouth run offense to a max-protect deep-passing offense to Monken's vertical four-wide.

The UFO Offense.  You heard it here first-all rights preserved.

The Combine is about to start.  Like DePodesta, Dorsey pays attention.  Denzel Ward, Tyreek Hill, Antonio Callaway, and Kareem Hunt are four examples.

Guys who say that watching college films is everything and combine numbers don't matter are either dumbasses or liars:

The combine numbers confirm or deny that a small school prospect has the tools to play in the NFL.  They help the Scouts identify positions and scheme-fits, and break ties between equally-ranked players.

By the way, at the Senior Bowl, Montez Sweat (DE or EDGE) tested out as more explosive than the other defensive ends, linebackers, and the majority of defensive backs.

Just sayin.  (If you're going to "pay attention" to somebody, you might as well pay attention to somebody who your team actually needs, right?)








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