Nick Snook covers what Dorsey and Kitchens said about Kush, Teller, and the Right Guard slot.
Actually, Wyatt Teller looks like he will get all up in Eric Kush's face in a hurry.
*Doug Dieken doesn't see the switch from the left to right side as the issue that other former offensive linemen do. While I still think Doug is taking it too lightly, I can see how a converted Defensive End like Teller has as good a chance to make that work as any guard. Doug even said that some guys don't even bother to change their stances (you know which hand is down; which foot is forward and stuff?)*
Teller started the last part of his rookie season as a guard for the Bills, so he is ahead of schedule, and has already overcome some of the deficiencies and bad habits which got him drafted as low as he was.
The 2019 Bills Offensive Line is projected to rank below the Browns, but Teller was made available when the Bills signed four veteran free agents (including a center an 2 guards) and drafted LT Cody Ford.
I didn't dig into this, okay? But Ford is a legit Left Tackle and might well kick the 2019 starter inside and stuff.
Make no mistake: John Dorsey traded for Wyatt Teller in an effort to upgrade Right Guard soonest.
Who in Cleveland isn't rooting for Braxton Miller?
Freddie Kitchens is refreshingly honest in describing how they're fast-tracking Miller in, and how they expect to use him.
Braxton Miller is first and formost a guy who turns little plays into big plays in the open field with his instincts and quickness.
So far, we haven't seen this in the pros, let alone since he's been a Cleveland Brown.
Stay Tuned!
Freddie or John didn't spell this out, but I did a few posts ago...partly:
The 2019 Browns are stacked at WR and RB, including slot guys. Braxton Miller can be the knuckleball player:
He might only be on the field for 11-15 Offensive plays, but he could line up anywhere, and (given the other Browns skill-players) can not be prioritized in any way. He can't be double-covered; will never have the top man corner on him, see?
For most of those offensive downs, Braxton Miller won't do much. He can and will block, of course, but if he gets 4-5 "touches", all but 1 or 2 of those might be unimpressive.
But the other 1 or 2 plays? Home runs.
Try to stay with me here:
1: Baker Mayfield is the Miller's Quarterback now. In Houston, Miller had some Watson and more guys named Joe, and DeShaun Watson isn't as accurate as Mayfield (just the facts man).
2: The Texans are loaded at WR.
3: John Dorsey has free agency OCD, and compulsively signs every player he ever liked but couldn't draft: He wished he could have had Miller.
3a: Dorsey is usually right, eventually.
A note on this: Some NFL Radio guy gave Andy Reed all the credit for having traded up to draft Patrick Mahomes.
Bullshit. John Dorsey did that.
I don't doubt that Reed wanted and lobbied for Mahomes, but John Dorsey made that decision, and engineered it.
Just the facts, man.
Okbye.
Friday, August 30, 2019
Thursday, August 29, 2019
Equale Better than Coley, Gillan SHOULD Beat Colquitt, DeValve, Miller, Willies, Gilbert is MUCH better than Drew Stanton. Obviously.
Watching Browns vs Lions here (I lucked out and am in Lions country).
I'm the only guy in this joint actually watching the game.
Oh well: It's the second half now, but the first half makes me think that Seth DeValve and Daniel Ekuale make the final roster, and Trevon Coley does not...
Wtf is this Coley love all about? Is this like the Drew Stanton thing--Coley is much more experienced at suckage, so he beats out a younger guy who has yet to master the skill?
Speaking of which, Garrett Gilbert was no Baker Mayfield, but was again better than Stanton ever was, and kicked ass in his only hurry-up set.
The depth Oline looked inconsistent but ok overall (I don't know much about the Lions defense). The depth dline looked sensational again.
So did the overall defense. The Browns won in the trenches overall...
Context is important, of course: Last preseason game/all scrubs/no game-planning/the Lions(?).
4th quarter. I know who Blough is but nobody else. A RB named Gray just kicked ass and scored a TD.
Seibert got the extra point, but did Jamie Gillan set the ball for him!?! Britton Colquitt has a ton more experience at this intricately complex procedure, so it's critical that...
Ok I can't maintain the sarcasm: Gillan just racked up two more TACKLES, and I can't see Colquitt having better accuracy (let alone range or hang-time), or (ahem) costing a couple mil less per year...
I was on the verge of making another prediction, but instead have to predict that Freddie Kitchens will again declare Drew Stanton the number 2 Quarterback. (Some of you guys don't remember Schottenheimer or Hargrove. Some of the best Coaches/Managers are blockheads).
Fortunately, while John Dorsey can't (or at least won't) tell Freddie how to rank his players, he is the guy who decides who gets cut and who doesn't.
The Scottish Hammer should win the job.
Dorsey could cut Drew Stanton too (like he traded Carlos Hyde out from under Haley), but Blough hasn't done enough to overcome his inexperience:
That is to say that Blough is better than Stanton, but screwed up tonight, and winds up only a little better than Stanton.
Blough can't be trusted yet. His upside might never become real. Stanton is bad, but (sort of) semi-competent...in a way...
Anyway I also hope that Freddie's Coach-speak blabberage in re Stanton being number 2 is just that. If Baker Mayfield gets hurt, will Freddie bet his carreer on Stanton?
Without a huge lead, I mean? Like when he has to pass as well as hand off?
Don't get me wrong here: I might like Drew Stanton the person almost as much as Freddie Kitchens does, if I knew him from my old team and stuff.
But Garrett Gilbert is the better Quarterback. All of us know it.
Period.
I'm the only guy in this joint actually watching the game.
Oh well: It's the second half now, but the first half makes me think that Seth DeValve and Daniel Ekuale make the final roster, and Trevon Coley does not...
Wtf is this Coley love all about? Is this like the Drew Stanton thing--Coley is much more experienced at suckage, so he beats out a younger guy who has yet to master the skill?
Speaking of which, Garrett Gilbert was no Baker Mayfield, but was again better than Stanton ever was, and kicked ass in his only hurry-up set.
The depth Oline looked inconsistent but ok overall (I don't know much about the Lions defense). The depth dline looked sensational again.
So did the overall defense. The Browns won in the trenches overall...
Context is important, of course: Last preseason game/all scrubs/no game-planning/the Lions(?).
4th quarter. I know who Blough is but nobody else. A RB named Gray just kicked ass and scored a TD.
Seibert got the extra point, but did Jamie Gillan set the ball for him!?! Britton Colquitt has a ton more experience at this intricately complex procedure, so it's critical that...
Ok I can't maintain the sarcasm: Gillan just racked up two more TACKLES, and I can't see Colquitt having better accuracy (let alone range or hang-time), or (ahem) costing a couple mil less per year...
I was on the verge of making another prediction, but instead have to predict that Freddie Kitchens will again declare Drew Stanton the number 2 Quarterback. (Some of you guys don't remember Schottenheimer or Hargrove. Some of the best Coaches/Managers are blockheads).
Fortunately, while John Dorsey can't (or at least won't) tell Freddie how to rank his players, he is the guy who decides who gets cut and who doesn't.
The Scottish Hammer should win the job.
Dorsey could cut Drew Stanton too (like he traded Carlos Hyde out from under Haley), but Blough hasn't done enough to overcome his inexperience:
That is to say that Blough is better than Stanton, but screwed up tonight, and winds up only a little better than Stanton.
Blough can't be trusted yet. His upside might never become real. Stanton is bad, but (sort of) semi-competent...in a way...
Anyway I also hope that Freddie's Coach-speak blabberage in re Stanton being number 2 is just that. If Baker Mayfield gets hurt, will Freddie bet his carreer on Stanton?
Without a huge lead, I mean? Like when he has to pass as well as hand off?
Don't get me wrong here: I might like Drew Stanton the person almost as much as Freddie Kitchens does, if I knew him from my old team and stuff.
But Garrett Gilbert is the better Quarterback. All of us know it.
Period.
Tuesday, August 27, 2019
Rooting for Braxton Miller, the Bucs in Context, Memorex Moronism, and we're all gonna die
It looks a little like the third preaseason game vs the Bucs really was an acid test for some of the bubble players.
Jaelen Strong dropped a pass. He gone. I don't feel too sorry for him. He belongs in the NFL, and will be ok.
Willies had one pried out of his hands, and (upon further review) couldn't have brought that leaping end-zone pass down in-bounds; it was about a foot too long (bad Baker!)
Like most of you, I'm rooting for home-boy Braxton Miller to make a late push vs the Lions, but local pundits are slanting things.
Is this a "solid contributor" to the Texans in this player's first 2 seasons?
Injury took Miller's 3rd season away from him; no telling what might have happened there. Analytically speaking, year 3 is when a lot of (less experienced) Wide Receivers blossom.
Here is a bunch of pre-draft analysis of Miller. He actually played H-Back, and took handoffs as well as catching passes (after converting from Quarterback).
As you can see, everybody was very high on Miller the athlete, but he had a long way to go to become an actual wide receiver.
Miller did almost all his damage turning dumpoffs, short catches, pitches etc into huge plays with his great instincts and explosiveness.
As a Buckeye Quarterback, he understood a complete route-tree, but even as he went to the combine, had never executed more than the "lowest branches" himself.
The Texans (apparently) zeroed Braxton in as a WR project rather than move him around as a gimmick-player. That made sense for them, and was good for Miller as well (he played the whole WR route-tree and learned one position).
Braxton's status with Freddie, Todd, and the 2019 Browns isn't as well defined.
Miller is now a legitimate NFL Wide Receiver (and no not just a slot guy either).
The Browns are deeper at Wide Receiver than the Texans, but just traded Duke Johnson. They are still trying to figure out who will return kicks and punts, and the coverage units as well.
Braxton Miller's prior status and contract are null and void. Nobody else seems to get this so far. Miller has a good shot to make the final roster as a special teamer.
He can also work at running back and Quarterback. His versatility could save roster spots (snap-snap stay with me here):
1: Quarterback: Braxton Miller was actually a good quarterback prior to his shoulder injury. He actually stood in the pocket with a good arm and decent accuracy.
In addition to being a great "wildcat" knuckleball option for Freddie and Todd, he could eliminate a third (official) Quarterback off the game-day roster.
2: Braxton Miller is comparable to Dontrell Hilliard, except that he's a better downfield receiver, and is faster and more sudden...
Miller can do everything Duke Johnson did at running back.
Most pundits expect the Browns to carry at least 4 "backs" (including fullbacks). Miller could knock that down to 3.
Don't get me started on this btw: Dudukovich (or somebody else with a brain) was right behind me in guessing that Seth DeValve would make the team as the emergency "fullback"---but I digress:
3: As a Wide Receiver, Braxton up against Willies, Hyman, Ratley, etc for one of 2 expected slots behind Rashard Higgins, and that looks bad for him.
Fortunately, you guys now know why Braxton Miller came here, and why he thinks he has a shot with the 2019 Browns.
Thanks to me.
The validations are rolling in. This link is about Rodney DeValvefield at fullback.
This one tells you why the Bengals jumped all over Jaelen Strong.
The Steelers signed ex-Brown CB Jhavonte Dean.
Nick Snook was much more articulate than Freddie Kitchens is, as he translates some of Freddie's amatuer "coach-speak" into english for those of you who are not me.
I am here for you to tell you:
1: Jamie Gillan may well have kicked Britton Colquitt to the curb in the punting competition. I haven't read Dudukovich's article yet, but remember my own, which preceded it by 48 or so hours, and no doubt looked eerily similar.
Don't get me wrong: I don't think that Dudukovich is one of the shameless assholes who read this Blog and (often verbatum) rewrite it as if it was their original thoughts (damn that should be funny)...
But Dudu is just merely almost as smart as my humble self (ie brilliant in his own right).
Anyway I digress...I'm just sick of getting ripped off and wanted you to know that Dudukovich has a brain of his own...unlike lots of other subhuman scumbags...
Chris Collinsworth (PFF) weighs in on the 2019 Browns prospects in the AFC North, and thinks the Browns or Steelers will win the Division.
Chris respects the Ravens too, but not so much the Bengals.
Yeah that's right: The Idiot's guide to predicting any NFL team's future starts with the Quarterback.
It's already debatable whether Mayfield or Big Ben are the best AFC North QBs, but Lamar Jackson and Andy Dalton aren't in this competition.
I was about to break the rest of this down for you, but remembered that you aren't idiots, so:
The Steelers have the best Offensive Line in this Division (and possibly in the NFL). Pro Football Outsiders graded the 2018 Browns' Offensive Line 17th overall with Zietler...
The Bucs have indeed made significant upgrades on defense this offseason, so citing statistics from 2018 for them is almost as dumb as doing the same for the Browns' 2019 Defense based on the 2018 Defense.
"Derr oyee dah Bugzz deefenzz sugged so..."
This is the Memorex Moron phenomenon: Any offense or defense which sucked last season will suck this season...
Are you still with me here? The Browns defense just added Olivier Vernon, Sheldon Richardson, Greedy Williams, Mack Wilson, Seoni Takitaki etc and you're citing how bad the 2018 defense sucked really!?!
Ditto the Bucs defense. I now know that they have upgraded significantly this offseason.
...err, are you still with me here? Like, the Bucs' Defense was bad last season, but is better NOW?
No kidding! Honestly, this stuff happens all the time! You sign a couple free agents, draft a couple guys, get a better coach or give your kids a minute to learn the ropes...
The Bucs have upgraded their defense like the Browns have. The Tampa Bay Defense humiliated the Browns Offense in the dress rehearsal.
But it's not as disasterous as you think. The 2019 Bucs have added serious inside run stuffage and scary pass-rushing to very good coverage, and will end up as at least a top 12 defense.
Ah crap why do I bother? The Browns Offensive Line sucks, they can't run the ball, Mayfield is a spazz, and we're all gonna die.
Jaelen Strong dropped a pass. He gone. I don't feel too sorry for him. He belongs in the NFL, and will be ok.
Willies had one pried out of his hands, and (upon further review) couldn't have brought that leaping end-zone pass down in-bounds; it was about a foot too long (bad Baker!)
Like most of you, I'm rooting for home-boy Braxton Miller to make a late push vs the Lions, but local pundits are slanting things.
Is this a "solid contributor" to the Texans in this player's first 2 seasons?
Well, at least this converted Quarterback was a part of their offense, and proved able to play Wide Receiver in the NFL.
Injury took Miller's 3rd season away from him; no telling what might have happened there. Analytically speaking, year 3 is when a lot of (less experienced) Wide Receivers blossom.
Here is a bunch of pre-draft analysis of Miller. He actually played H-Back, and took handoffs as well as catching passes (after converting from Quarterback).
As you can see, everybody was very high on Miller the athlete, but he had a long way to go to become an actual wide receiver.
Miller did almost all his damage turning dumpoffs, short catches, pitches etc into huge plays with his great instincts and explosiveness.
As a Buckeye Quarterback, he understood a complete route-tree, but even as he went to the combine, had never executed more than the "lowest branches" himself.
The Texans (apparently) zeroed Braxton in as a WR project rather than move him around as a gimmick-player. That made sense for them, and was good for Miller as well (he played the whole WR route-tree and learned one position).
Braxton's status with Freddie, Todd, and the 2019 Browns isn't as well defined.
Miller is now a legitimate NFL Wide Receiver (and no not just a slot guy either).
The Browns are deeper at Wide Receiver than the Texans, but just traded Duke Johnson. They are still trying to figure out who will return kicks and punts, and the coverage units as well.
Braxton Miller's prior status and contract are null and void. Nobody else seems to get this so far. Miller has a good shot to make the final roster as a special teamer.
He can also work at running back and Quarterback. His versatility could save roster spots (snap-snap stay with me here):
1: Quarterback: Braxton Miller was actually a good quarterback prior to his shoulder injury. He actually stood in the pocket with a good arm and decent accuracy.
In addition to being a great "wildcat" knuckleball option for Freddie and Todd, he could eliminate a third (official) Quarterback off the game-day roster.
2: Braxton Miller is comparable to Dontrell Hilliard, except that he's a better downfield receiver, and is faster and more sudden...
Miller can do everything Duke Johnson did at running back.
Most pundits expect the Browns to carry at least 4 "backs" (including fullbacks). Miller could knock that down to 3.
Don't get me started on this btw: Dudukovich (or somebody else with a brain) was right behind me in guessing that Seth DeValve would make the team as the emergency "fullback"---but I digress:
3: As a Wide Receiver, Braxton up against Willies, Hyman, Ratley, etc for one of 2 expected slots behind Rashard Higgins, and that looks bad for him.
Fortunately, you guys now know why Braxton Miller came here, and why he thinks he has a shot with the 2019 Browns.
Thanks to me.
The validations are rolling in. This link is about Rodney DeValvefield at fullback.
This one tells you why the Bengals jumped all over Jaelen Strong.
The Steelers signed ex-Brown CB Jhavonte Dean.
Nick Snook was much more articulate than Freddie Kitchens is, as he translates some of Freddie's amatuer "coach-speak" into english for those of you who are not me.
I am here for you to tell you:
1: Jamie Gillan may well have kicked Britton Colquitt to the curb in the punting competition. I haven't read Dudukovich's article yet, but remember my own, which preceded it by 48 or so hours, and no doubt looked eerily similar.
Don't get me wrong: I don't think that Dudukovich is one of the shameless assholes who read this Blog and (often verbatum) rewrite it as if it was their original thoughts (damn that should be funny)...
But Dudu is just merely almost as smart as my humble self (ie brilliant in his own right).
Anyway I digress...I'm just sick of getting ripped off and wanted you to know that Dudukovich has a brain of his own...unlike lots of other subhuman scumbags...
Chris Collinsworth (PFF) weighs in on the 2019 Browns prospects in the AFC North, and thinks the Browns or Steelers will win the Division.
Chris respects the Ravens too, but not so much the Bengals.
Yeah that's right: The Idiot's guide to predicting any NFL team's future starts with the Quarterback.
It's already debatable whether Mayfield or Big Ben are the best AFC North QBs, but Lamar Jackson and Andy Dalton aren't in this competition.
I was about to break the rest of this down for you, but remembered that you aren't idiots, so:
The Steelers have the best Offensive Line in this Division (and possibly in the NFL). Pro Football Outsiders graded the 2018 Browns' Offensive Line 17th overall with Zietler...
The Bucs have indeed made significant upgrades on defense this offseason, so citing statistics from 2018 for them is almost as dumb as doing the same for the Browns' 2019 Defense based on the 2018 Defense.
"Derr oyee dah Bugzz deefenzz sugged so..."
This is the Memorex Moron phenomenon: Any offense or defense which sucked last season will suck this season...
Are you still with me here? The Browns defense just added Olivier Vernon, Sheldon Richardson, Greedy Williams, Mack Wilson, Seoni Takitaki etc and you're citing how bad the 2018 defense sucked really!?!
Ditto the Bucs defense. I now know that they have upgraded significantly this offseason.
...err, are you still with me here? Like, the Bucs' Defense was bad last season, but is better NOW?
No kidding! Honestly, this stuff happens all the time! You sign a couple free agents, draft a couple guys, get a better coach or give your kids a minute to learn the ropes...
The Bucs have upgraded their defense like the Browns have. The Tampa Bay Defense humiliated the Browns Offense in the dress rehearsal.
But it's not as disasterous as you think. The 2019 Bucs have added serious inside run stuffage and scary pass-rushing to very good coverage, and will end up as at least a top 12 defense.
Ah crap why do I bother? The Browns Offensive Line sucks, they can't run the ball, Mayfield is a spazz, and we're all gonna die.
Sunday, August 25, 2019
Browns Roster Options, Bubble Players, Trade Options, Trade Rumors, Urgent Needs
First, anybody who boos Andrew Luck for retiring is an idiot. That guy is all tore up physically. He's 29 going on 50.
Good...err...luck to him.
Barry Shuck lists 5 Browns he thinks are on the bubble. I don't have enough data on Barry to know if his opinions (such as "this guy looks unnatural at this position" or this other guy isn't blocking well) are well-founded, but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt for now.
Barry describes Tight End Demetrius Harris as a "huge disappointment", and thinks the Browns might prefer to keep Pharoah Brown instead.
I have heard that Brown is a good blocker, and he has real upside as a receiver too. He's younger and cheaper too.
Then DE Anthony Zettel and Kicker Greg Joseph. Check on those guys too, as other players appear to have pulled ahead of them at their respective positions.
Austin Seibert has been a little behind Greg Joseph, but was perfect throughout the dress rehearsal in Tampa Bay, including a dead-center 54 yarder.
You shouldn't have to make decisions like these based on one preseason game, but they don't have a choice. But the 5th round pick thing? Get real: If Joseph is better, Seibert is waived (and ideally makes it to the practice squad.)
It's a F I F T H round pick come on, man!
And Chad Thomas is really shining this year. I don't care if Sheldon Richardson threw Winston to him for a cheap sack--Thomas was all over him all game long.
Barry also lists Austin Corbett, who he says looks bad at center, on top of failing to grab the starting Right Guard spot.
This is where I can't judge Barry's statements. If he's basing them on Corbett's screwups in preseason games, he may well be wrong. If he knows how he's looked in practice, he's probably right.
A couple weeks ago I'd be calling Barry a dumbass, but it is quite possible that Austin Corbett is indeed circling the drain.
Antonio Callaway!?! My first reaction to that was also to call Barry a dumbass, but then I read his explanation. It was very very smart:
No, Dorsey won't cut him. He'll trade him!
Callaway is suspended for the first 4 games, so the Browns get to keep a Wide Receiver they'd otherwise have to cut until then.
This could be Willies, Strong, or Ratley.
Barry got into the "knucklehead" thing and brought up Josh Gordon; and the kid showed up out of shape too.
I can add the DePodesta angle: Callaway is a first round pick, and all these other guys are significantly cheaper. Callaway has already impressed NFL GMs in real games; he's a known quantity with astronomical upside. He has 2 years left on his base contract with another club option year.
He's coming off a suspension, so you won't see any of that "stick 'em up!" bullcrap either.
On NFL Radio, Pat Kirwan would probably predict a conditional 5th round pick (like he thought Dorsey would get for Duke Johnson. It goes to show you that even ex-GMs can be dumber than my humble self).
Anyway Dorsey can't get a first round pick for the kid, but easily a 4th, maybe a 3rd, and conceivably a 2nd. Or a player. Like maybe a Right Guard...
Anyway Barry Shuck gets a conditional A-minus for this article.
I will add another "bubble" player to this list: Punter Britton Colquitt.
Colquitt is an elite talent, but the "Scottish Hammer" (Jamie Gillan) has caught up to him, and proved it in Tampa Bay.
He is younger and cheaper, with massive upside (as an NFL punter, he's still just a baby--but he has an awesome leg. Awesome hang-time. Improving placement.)
And once that ball is off Gillan's foot, he still belongs on that field, because he was a pro rugby player, and he can actually tackle people in space.
People tend to ignore this, but they shouldn't. The punter is the last line of defense on a punt return, and most of them are jokes. Gillan's atypical instincts and athleticism could turn a loss or two into a win.
And here again I have to address more silliness: Holding for kickers is not rocket science, ok? Please for the love of God stop it!
Randy Gurzi offers us some hope for Right Guard and the Offensive Line.
Randy names second round Chargers T/G Forest Lamp and Cowboy La 'el Collins as guys who Dorsey could potentially trade for.
The Chargers and Cowboys are both up to their eyeballs in Offensive Linemen, and need to free up cap space.
Per Randy, both of these young players would be upgrades over Hubbard or Kush.
It looks to me like niether team would waive these guys, but Randy is right: Dorsey needs to "go shopping" and make offers for guys like these.
They're Offensive Linemen, so Kirwan's standard "conditional 5th round pick" standard might actually work in this case (although it could be a 4th rounder).
In my last post, I told you how Freddie Kitchens has and will "protect" his Offensive Linemen with personnel and schemes, but this is a weakness which DePodesta and Dorsey need to fix.
Thanks to John Dorsey, the 2019 Browns are ahead of schedule: They are Superbowl contenders now.
You'll have to trust me on this one: DePodesta was aiming for the playoffs in 2019, and crossing his fingers about how far they'd get after that.
NOW, John Dorsey screwed everything up, and suddenly the 2019 Browns are favored to win the AFC North, and serious Superbowl contenders.
NOW, it's urgent that every weakness needs to be fixed; the stakes are much higher than DePodesta planned for.
How can I explain this to Earthings?
AH! This roster can't have exploitable weaknesses. The Patriots, Steelers, Texans, Chiefs, Chargers, Broncos etc can exploit in the playoffs.
I doubt that Trent Williams is in the Browns immediate future, but am pretty sure that new and better Offensive Linemen are.
Average won't cut it at these stakes.
Okbye
Good...err...luck to him.
Barry Shuck lists 5 Browns he thinks are on the bubble. I don't have enough data on Barry to know if his opinions (such as "this guy looks unnatural at this position" or this other guy isn't blocking well) are well-founded, but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt for now.
Barry describes Tight End Demetrius Harris as a "huge disappointment", and thinks the Browns might prefer to keep Pharoah Brown instead.
I have heard that Brown is a good blocker, and he has real upside as a receiver too. He's younger and cheaper too.
Then DE Anthony Zettel and Kicker Greg Joseph. Check on those guys too, as other players appear to have pulled ahead of them at their respective positions.
Austin Seibert has been a little behind Greg Joseph, but was perfect throughout the dress rehearsal in Tampa Bay, including a dead-center 54 yarder.
You shouldn't have to make decisions like these based on one preseason game, but they don't have a choice. But the 5th round pick thing? Get real: If Joseph is better, Seibert is waived (and ideally makes it to the practice squad.)
It's a F I F T H round pick come on, man!
And Chad Thomas is really shining this year. I don't care if Sheldon Richardson threw Winston to him for a cheap sack--Thomas was all over him all game long.
Barry also lists Austin Corbett, who he says looks bad at center, on top of failing to grab the starting Right Guard spot.
This is where I can't judge Barry's statements. If he's basing them on Corbett's screwups in preseason games, he may well be wrong. If he knows how he's looked in practice, he's probably right.
A couple weeks ago I'd be calling Barry a dumbass, but it is quite possible that Austin Corbett is indeed circling the drain.
Antonio Callaway!?! My first reaction to that was also to call Barry a dumbass, but then I read his explanation. It was very very smart:
No, Dorsey won't cut him. He'll trade him!
Callaway is suspended for the first 4 games, so the Browns get to keep a Wide Receiver they'd otherwise have to cut until then.
This could be Willies, Strong, or Ratley.
Barry got into the "knucklehead" thing and brought up Josh Gordon; and the kid showed up out of shape too.
I can add the DePodesta angle: Callaway is a first round pick, and all these other guys are significantly cheaper. Callaway has already impressed NFL GMs in real games; he's a known quantity with astronomical upside. He has 2 years left on his base contract with another club option year.
He's coming off a suspension, so you won't see any of that "stick 'em up!" bullcrap either.
On NFL Radio, Pat Kirwan would probably predict a conditional 5th round pick (like he thought Dorsey would get for Duke Johnson. It goes to show you that even ex-GMs can be dumber than my humble self).
Anyway Dorsey can't get a first round pick for the kid, but easily a 4th, maybe a 3rd, and conceivably a 2nd. Or a player. Like maybe a Right Guard...
Anyway Barry Shuck gets a conditional A-minus for this article.
I will add another "bubble" player to this list: Punter Britton Colquitt.
Colquitt is an elite talent, but the "Scottish Hammer" (Jamie Gillan) has caught up to him, and proved it in Tampa Bay.
He is younger and cheaper, with massive upside (as an NFL punter, he's still just a baby--but he has an awesome leg. Awesome hang-time. Improving placement.)
And once that ball is off Gillan's foot, he still belongs on that field, because he was a pro rugby player, and he can actually tackle people in space.
People tend to ignore this, but they shouldn't. The punter is the last line of defense on a punt return, and most of them are jokes. Gillan's atypical instincts and athleticism could turn a loss or two into a win.
And here again I have to address more silliness: Holding for kickers is not rocket science, ok? Please for the love of God stop it!
Randy Gurzi offers us some hope for Right Guard and the Offensive Line.
Randy names second round Chargers T/G Forest Lamp and Cowboy La 'el Collins as guys who Dorsey could potentially trade for.
The Chargers and Cowboys are both up to their eyeballs in Offensive Linemen, and need to free up cap space.
Per Randy, both of these young players would be upgrades over Hubbard or Kush.
It looks to me like niether team would waive these guys, but Randy is right: Dorsey needs to "go shopping" and make offers for guys like these.
They're Offensive Linemen, so Kirwan's standard "conditional 5th round pick" standard might actually work in this case (although it could be a 4th rounder).
In my last post, I told you how Freddie Kitchens has and will "protect" his Offensive Linemen with personnel and schemes, but this is a weakness which DePodesta and Dorsey need to fix.
Thanks to John Dorsey, the 2019 Browns are ahead of schedule: They are Superbowl contenders now.
You'll have to trust me on this one: DePodesta was aiming for the playoffs in 2019, and crossing his fingers about how far they'd get after that.
NOW, John Dorsey screwed everything up, and suddenly the 2019 Browns are favored to win the AFC North, and serious Superbowl contenders.
NOW, it's urgent that every weakness needs to be fixed; the stakes are much higher than DePodesta planned for.
How can I explain this to Earthings?
AH! This roster can't have exploitable weaknesses. The Patriots, Steelers, Texans, Chiefs, Chargers, Broncos etc can exploit in the playoffs.
I doubt that Trent Williams is in the Browns immediate future, but am pretty sure that new and better Offensive Linemen are.
Average won't cut it at these stakes.
Okbye
Saturday, August 24, 2019
2019 Browns are Cookin with Gas: Addressing Spasticism and Panic and Idiocy wtf!?!
I'm not too worried about that offensive offensive debacle in Tampa Bay, beyond serious concerns about Right Guard.
No, not so much Robinson and Hubbard, who were servicable last season.
Freddie Kitchens can, if he needs to, make adjustments to help his tackles out (or mask their deficiencies). He's got really good hole cards.
Evidently, the receivers blew some of their routes. Baker may well have been on-target after all, but he's throwing to spots in a timing offense.
You should see Tom Brady chewing out receivers who go a yard too shallow or too deep and stuff!
Maybe he was a little off too, because he had people in his face all night and had to rush some throws, but for sure his receivers blew some routes...
And again, if you get 2 hands on the football, you have to catch it, dammit!
Anyway, the offense will be fine with the top 2 WRs and some schematic differences the Browns aren't showing yet.
Kevin Zeitler was a superstud, but was one player, you see? This whole line won't collapse because he's gone. Andamakong (sp?) Suhs don't grow on trees.
And no, Sherlock: Nobody has "figured out" Baker Mayfield. Nobody ever will, because he is the total package, with no significant weaknesses or even strong tendancies...so just don't make an ass of yourself suggesting it, ok? (I'm probably too late).
But there was a lot of good news here, as Freddie Kitchens did a great job of breaking down:
The Defense was just freaking sensational. These Buccaneers are no clown show, ok, and the Browns defenders punked them.
Did you know Myles Garrett only played the first series? The depth, with (ex-Bengal) Chris Smith and Davaroe Lawrence (told ya blush-blush) kept up the punkage all night.
We were concerned about DL depth a couple weeks ago, but that's over. Steve Wilks can penetrate and attack all day every day because he has enough players to do it.
You understand, right? Attacking players burn a lot more energy; like sprinters. They need to rest periodically, or they burn out (and often get injured, as they can't avoid cut-blocks or turn anymore).
Pat Kirwan says that the first Defensive Coordinator he worked for said he needed eight defensive linemen (who could actually play like starters).
This was an "attack" 4-3, and Pat says he "got it" as soon as he saw how those guys blew out of the blocks and had to change directions, stop and start, all the while fending off much larger guys.
Ideally, none of the 4 starters should play over 66% of the defensive snaps. This was a big problem in 2018, as Ogunjobi wore out.
But the Special Teams looked good as well:
Austin Seibert was perfect, including from 54 yards out, and may have pulled ahead of Rodney Josephfield in the kicker race.
The Scottish Hammer also made a very strong case for himself, and in my opinion kicked Britton Colquitt to the curb.
DePodesta Dorsey can save a couple mil in cap space making this move, but Jamie Gillan is earning it, fair and square.
And the Scottish Hammer is a legit athlete (which does matter! Check this out!)
There are lots of returners, and the coverage units performed well overall, so in reality the Browns offense was the only bad part of this.
🖕that's objectivity, Sherlock. The defense looks awesome, the special teams are in good shape, and if you think this preseason game brings the gavel down on this offense, you are insane.
Psst! C'mere!
That "hurry-up" offense you saw in the first preseason game? You will see that again, see?
No, not just when it's obviously imperative, but just whenever Freddie and Todd think they should rack up points and wear down a defense.
Psst! Jake Burns might correct me on this, but what I saw of the run-blocking looked like power/man, and I'm not sure I saw 2 tight ends or running backs all night.
In fact I saw a whole LOT of empty backfield stuff!
I strongly suspect that Freddie Kitchens was sandbagging.
🖕no I'm not rationalizing, Sherlock: Tretter and Bitonio are studs, and Robinson and Hubbard were adequate in 2018.
Okay the loss of Zeitler was bad, but a bunch of you closet permabashers were hoping for what happened vs the Bucs (or anybody else) so you could bash the Browns.
The lowest the 2019 Browns Offensive Line grades out is 17th (in my opinion) overall. That's mediocre.
Could be better. Could be worse DO YOU U N D E R S T A N D?
Now then, no sane person can figure out how any given Browns running back will dip below 4.3 YPC, Baker Mayfield, OBJ, or (for that matter) Landry/Njoku will what? Fall on their faces? Vanish?
You people!
For you youngsters, I kinda get it. The Browns sucked (and were a joke) for your whole life.
But you need to get over your Stockholm Syndrome and think with your brains:
Baker Mayfield (despite the latest preseason game) IS a top 5 NFL QB.
He is overloaded with weapons, and has that defense...
Is any of this sinking in yet? Baker Mayfield will go for the throat---
Relax, you people: Freddie and Todd can manage to scrape by with an average Offensive Line and maybe the best bunch of skill players in the NFL and a dominating defense somehow...
The Offense might only average a paltry 31 points per game, but what can you do?
Okbye
No, not so much Robinson and Hubbard, who were servicable last season.
Freddie Kitchens can, if he needs to, make adjustments to help his tackles out (or mask their deficiencies). He's got really good hole cards.
Evidently, the receivers blew some of their routes. Baker may well have been on-target after all, but he's throwing to spots in a timing offense.
You should see Tom Brady chewing out receivers who go a yard too shallow or too deep and stuff!
Maybe he was a little off too, because he had people in his face all night and had to rush some throws, but for sure his receivers blew some routes...
And again, if you get 2 hands on the football, you have to catch it, dammit!
Anyway, the offense will be fine with the top 2 WRs and some schematic differences the Browns aren't showing yet.
Kevin Zeitler was a superstud, but was one player, you see? This whole line won't collapse because he's gone. Andamakong (sp?) Suhs don't grow on trees.
And no, Sherlock: Nobody has "figured out" Baker Mayfield. Nobody ever will, because he is the total package, with no significant weaknesses or even strong tendancies...so just don't make an ass of yourself suggesting it, ok? (I'm probably too late).
But there was a lot of good news here, as Freddie Kitchens did a great job of breaking down:
The Defense was just freaking sensational. These Buccaneers are no clown show, ok, and the Browns defenders punked them.
Did you know Myles Garrett only played the first series? The depth, with (ex-Bengal) Chris Smith and Davaroe Lawrence (told ya blush-blush) kept up the punkage all night.
We were concerned about DL depth a couple weeks ago, but that's over. Steve Wilks can penetrate and attack all day every day because he has enough players to do it.
You understand, right? Attacking players burn a lot more energy; like sprinters. They need to rest periodically, or they burn out (and often get injured, as they can't avoid cut-blocks or turn anymore).
Pat Kirwan says that the first Defensive Coordinator he worked for said he needed eight defensive linemen (who could actually play like starters).
This was an "attack" 4-3, and Pat says he "got it" as soon as he saw how those guys blew out of the blocks and had to change directions, stop and start, all the while fending off much larger guys.
Ideally, none of the 4 starters should play over 66% of the defensive snaps. This was a big problem in 2018, as Ogunjobi wore out.
But the Special Teams looked good as well:
Austin Seibert was perfect, including from 54 yards out, and may have pulled ahead of Rodney Josephfield in the kicker race.
The Scottish Hammer also made a very strong case for himself, and in my opinion kicked Britton Colquitt to the curb.
And the Scottish Hammer is a legit athlete (which does matter! Check this out!)
There are lots of returners, and the coverage units performed well overall, so in reality the Browns offense was the only bad part of this.
🖕that's objectivity, Sherlock. The defense looks awesome, the special teams are in good shape, and if you think this preseason game brings the gavel down on this offense, you are insane.
Psst! C'mere!
That "hurry-up" offense you saw in the first preseason game? You will see that again, see?
No, not just when it's obviously imperative, but just whenever Freddie and Todd think they should rack up points and wear down a defense.
Psst! Jake Burns might correct me on this, but what I saw of the run-blocking looked like power/man, and I'm not sure I saw 2 tight ends or running backs all night.
In fact I saw a whole LOT of empty backfield stuff!
I strongly suspect that Freddie Kitchens was sandbagging.
🖕no I'm not rationalizing, Sherlock: Tretter and Bitonio are studs, and Robinson and Hubbard were adequate in 2018.
Okay the loss of Zeitler was bad, but a bunch of you closet permabashers were hoping for what happened vs the Bucs (or anybody else) so you could bash the Browns.
The lowest the 2019 Browns Offensive Line grades out is 17th (in my opinion) overall. That's mediocre.
Could be better. Could be worse DO YOU U N D E R S T A N D?
Now then, no sane person can figure out how any given Browns running back will dip below 4.3 YPC, Baker Mayfield, OBJ, or (for that matter) Landry/Njoku will what? Fall on their faces? Vanish?
You people!
For you youngsters, I kinda get it. The Browns sucked (and were a joke) for your whole life.
But you need to get over your Stockholm Syndrome and think with your brains:
Baker Mayfield (despite the latest preseason game) IS a top 5 NFL QB.
He is overloaded with weapons, and has that defense...
Is any of this sinking in yet? Baker Mayfield will go for the throat---
Relax, you people: Freddie and Todd can manage to scrape by with an average Offensive Line and maybe the best bunch of skill players in the NFL and a dominating defense somehow...
The Offense might only average a paltry 31 points per game, but what can you do?
Okbye
Friday, August 23, 2019
What a DEFENSE! Right Guard a Big Problem (but the ONLY problem). Can Dorsey Fix this? Is the Anwer on the Roster? Drew Forbes?
I just saw the first half of the Browns vs Bucs preseason "dress rehearsal" third game, in which Baker Mayfield played the whole first half.
Nick Chubb didn't play, but Kareem Hunt did, so skip that part. OBJ and (I think) Landry didn't play, and that matter.
The Browns couldn't run. Mayfield took more early pressure than he should have, but was still personally shaky (innaccurate) early on.
That is, he looked like a normal Quarterback, who was imperfect on some of those microscopic windows he was aiming for.
Still, even as Bake was having his bad night, he nailed some passes, and his receivers (Strong, Higgins, and Willies at least one each) dropped catchable passes.
Then Mayfield got the windage, recalibrated--whatever, and for at least the last 2 series was that sniper we've come to know...
And his receivers KEPT dropping passes.
Look: When a Quarterback is hitting tiny little windows, he sometimes has to rifle it in there, or put it way up in the air for a perfectly-timed leap.
If you can get two sets of fingers on that football, you need to make that catch.
I'm not sure how this game will effect the WR competition, but I know that Strong and Willies both accrued some "demerits"...and by the way where tf was Ratley?
Ratley? Ratley?
Well the Offensive Line looks bad, and blame them for no running game and the early heat on Mayfield too. They look shaky.
Njoku didn't play either, and Kitchens was vanilla: He went empty backfield a lot but 2 Tight Ends or Running Backs rarely if ever. Jake Burns will need to confirm this for me, but it also looked to me like there were few (or no) RPOs, and the run-blocking was a Jacksonian power/man (not zone).
I'm not sure how good the 2019 Bucs defense is, but they sure look impressive to me...and by the way deserve some credit here.
Especially their coverage guys! They were all over every receiver; I saw almost no separation at all. It seemed like every single pass was hotly contested.
The good news was the Browns Defense. The Bucs had one of the most prolific offenses in the NFL in 2018, and haven't lost a lot of talent.
Up until both teams yanked their stars, the Browns defense stuffed the Bucs offense.
Right Guard remains unsettled. A lot of that early pressure on Mayfield, and penetration in general came through Right Guard.
Right Guard is the ONLY problem here! Damn they're so close...but would you take Zeitler back and "refund" OBJ and Vernon, even now? Would reclaiming Jabrill Peppers, or even the 17th overall pick make you want that deal back?
It shouldn't (obviously). OBJ would have made those catches the other guys didn't. Vernon is making a huge difference.
Still with me here? Not every team has a DT named Suh. Can Baker roll out? Can he target convenient running backs? And you've written off Austin Corbett, but what about Drew Forbes?
Remember I said Freddie was vanilla (I saw it in his face as he called plays-it was like (sigh/eyerole) I can't stand looking this stupid but here goes))...
He doesn't bother hiding his mouth as he calls the plays (hey where did all the body language experts go? Let's dig into Freddie's bored expression: What is he hiding?)
What a bunch of pretentious goofballs most of you are! (Sorry not YOU, but most pundits, ok?)
Oh sorry last call okbye
Nick Chubb didn't play, but Kareem Hunt did, so skip that part. OBJ and (I think) Landry didn't play, and that matter.
The Browns couldn't run. Mayfield took more early pressure than he should have, but was still personally shaky (innaccurate) early on.
That is, he looked like a normal Quarterback, who was imperfect on some of those microscopic windows he was aiming for.
Still, even as Bake was having his bad night, he nailed some passes, and his receivers (Strong, Higgins, and Willies at least one each) dropped catchable passes.
Then Mayfield got the windage, recalibrated--whatever, and for at least the last 2 series was that sniper we've come to know...
And his receivers KEPT dropping passes.
Look: When a Quarterback is hitting tiny little windows, he sometimes has to rifle it in there, or put it way up in the air for a perfectly-timed leap.
If you can get two sets of fingers on that football, you need to make that catch.
I'm not sure how this game will effect the WR competition, but I know that Strong and Willies both accrued some "demerits"...and by the way where tf was Ratley?
Ratley? Ratley?
Well the Offensive Line looks bad, and blame them for no running game and the early heat on Mayfield too. They look shaky.
Njoku didn't play either, and Kitchens was vanilla: He went empty backfield a lot but 2 Tight Ends or Running Backs rarely if ever. Jake Burns will need to confirm this for me, but it also looked to me like there were few (or no) RPOs, and the run-blocking was a Jacksonian power/man (not zone).
I'm not sure how good the 2019 Bucs defense is, but they sure look impressive to me...and by the way deserve some credit here.
Especially their coverage guys! They were all over every receiver; I saw almost no separation at all. It seemed like every single pass was hotly contested.
The good news was the Browns Defense. The Bucs had one of the most prolific offenses in the NFL in 2018, and haven't lost a lot of talent.
Up until both teams yanked their stars, the Browns defense stuffed the Bucs offense.
Right Guard remains unsettled. A lot of that early pressure on Mayfield, and penetration in general came through Right Guard.
Right Guard is the ONLY problem here! Damn they're so close...but would you take Zeitler back and "refund" OBJ and Vernon, even now? Would reclaiming Jabrill Peppers, or even the 17th overall pick make you want that deal back?
It shouldn't (obviously). OBJ would have made those catches the other guys didn't. Vernon is making a huge difference.
Still with me here? Not every team has a DT named Suh. Can Baker roll out? Can he target convenient running backs? And you've written off Austin Corbett, but what about Drew Forbes?
Remember I said Freddie was vanilla (I saw it in his face as he called plays-it was like (sigh/eyerole) I can't stand looking this stupid but here goes))...
He doesn't bother hiding his mouth as he calls the plays (hey where did all the body language experts go? Let's dig into Freddie's bored expression: What is he hiding?)
What a bunch of pretentious goofballs most of you are! (Sorry not YOU, but most pundits, ok?)
Oh sorry last call okbye
Thursday, August 22, 2019
Browns Trade for Trent Williams? Doubtful. GMotry 101; math 102, Duh 103
John Dorsey signed uh...Wide Receiver Braxton Miller.
I agree that this move doesn't make a lot of sense, given the massive overload the Browns have at WR as-is, and Miller's lack of success in 2 NFL seasons.
But I think this is an OCD thing with John Dorsey. He had to...you know...do something! Anything!
Well, Justik puts more context on it:
Miller was converted from Quarterback at Ohio State (even though he was a good Quarterback). He was good enough as a receiver to get drafted high, and most experts expected big things out of him (I was lobbying for the Browns to draft him).
Braxton Miller didn't have to be a Wide Receiver. He could have become a running back (except this Elliott guy was there so...) or maybe cornerback or safety and punt/kick returner just...whatever, you see?
In fact, he's a little like another converted Quarterback, Josh Cribbs:
Miller is taller and more explosive, while Cribbs was stouter and stronger. If you recall, Josh made his impact as one of the best returners in NFL history, and was later worked into the WR rotation.
Cribbs became a decent wide receiver, but that's about it. See the similarities?
So let's see what Miller can do at running back and on special teams before we make those final cuts at all those positions, because this guy is just an amazing athlete, and John Dorsey just rented him for peanuts.
Possibly related: Waittilnextyear heard a trade rumor: Callaway and Schobert for Trent Williams (the disgruntled stud Redskins Left Tackle).
I didn't interrogate Bub about his source, but it "clicks".
Callaway is a lethal weapon WR only entering his second season, but Dorsey is eyeball deep in Wide Receivers (including Braxton Miller now).
Schobert? See about 10 earlier posts: He's PFF's top coverage linebacker and a Pro Bowler in his prime, but he's in the final year of his contract and Mack Wilson is here now.
The Redskins allegedly turned down the offer of a 2020 first round pick for Williams (*note that will be near the bottom of the first round*).
Williams has said that he will never play for the Redskins again, but the Redskins keep saying "we'll work something out".
Ok did Dan Sneider fire people, or is this the same crew that franchised Kirk Cousins twice and then lost him? Is this a "he aint gonna push me around testosterone thing or something? Is what we have here a failure to communicate?
I'm not all-in on this myself because of Williams' age and likely salary demands.
I'm not going to pay a guy with one foot in the retirement home over 8% of my cap money; I'm not going to give him a raise as he declines.
DePodesta Dorsey might consider this trade if Williams leaves his gun and ski mask at home, because (listen carefully) the Browns need budgetary discipline right tf NOW.
It's just the epitomy of irony when 2019 doom and gloomers bring up historical examples of "loaded" NFL teams expected to win big that fell on their faces.
NONE of their examples bears any resemblance to the 2019 Browns.
The teams the bashers cited all paid a bunch of high-profile veteran free agents (like Williams). The 2019 Browns were built through the draft.
And how much of an impact would Trent Williams have on the 2019 Browns?
Not anywhere near even the value of his current contract:
See 20 or so previous posts: Mayfield's quick release, mobility, RPOs, dumpoff options, chips etc.: The 2019 Browns don't need a Trent Williams (or a Joe Thomas, for that matter...and if you don't believe me, ask Big Joe himself! He will break it down for you!)
Big Joe on Truth Serum will say that Greg Robinson isn't in his league, but that in 2019 and this offense, he's "enough" (you'd only need the serum to get him to say Robinson sucks compared to himself).
Nick Chubb (see 7-10 earlier posts) was always a good receiver, as evidenced by his pre-injury/Sony Michel college stats. Always had great hands.
Chubb wasn't used a lot as a receiver in 2018 because Duke was the 3rd down back, and Nick was of course the "bellcow" in a physical offense (and a rookie...and stifled by the idiots Kitchens replaced).
Nick Chubb may be able to do Ebineezer Bell stuff, like line up as a WR. Kareem Hunt does that, as does Duke Johnson--don't be surprised if you see Nick Chubb doing the same stuff in 2019.
I have avoided reading a few articles because they're too obvious:
Baker Mayfield is obviously the Quarterback the Browns have desperately sought for over 20 years. "Sophomore slumps" happen to Quarterbacks who need crutches or have weaknesses (see previous posts); Baker Mayfield will be even better (obviously).
I don't care much about Hue Jackson's emotional trauma or revelations either. These were all obvious to me, which is why Baker Mayfield's taunting and insults pissed me off so much.
Picture yourself a 1-31 Head Coach, forced to "hand the keys over" to Todd Haley (and pretend it was your idea) in order to not get fired...then getting fired anyway, because Haley was worse than YOU were on your worst day...and getting bashed for his incompetence and your protests about that too?
I don't hate Hue Jackson, or consider him an idiot. I'm generally disgusted and enraged by lynch-mobs.
I remember Art Modell and Bill Belichick fleeing Cleveland amidst death threats, and remember the frenzied hate-fest which (combined with the City/County government's refusal to replace the dilapidated cesspool Muni Stadium, while building new facilities for the Indians and Cavs)...
I guess I'm digressing here, but you people need to think with your brains more and your guts less...
Art Modell saved the Cleveland Clinic and gave away way too much money, drafted "niggers" before everybody else, won the last Championship before the Superbowl...
It's despicable that Tony Grossi shows up at each Hall of Fame forum as if it's a parole hearing to make sure Art Modell can't get into the Hall of Fame. Yeah Artie got him fired. Tony is Cicilian. It's a vendetta.
Think with your brain. Tim Couch never sucked, for example:
Couch was an athletic improvisor in a nearly all-pass offense. Head Coach Chris Palmer made him a classic drop-back Quarterback...on an expansion team...
No roll-outs. No shotgun snaps (except on 3rd and a mile).
Despite this idiocy, the rookie Tim Couch was above average; by far outperforming Peyton Manning's rookie season (one year prior).
I was a voice in the wilderness (as usual).
Anyhoo, Couch's chronic elbow condition wrecked him over time, but most of you people don't comprehend that Tim Couch was a great Quarterback who was destroyed by a bad Coach and his elbow.
Was he a "bust"?Who can say obviously not.
That was just to illustrate how ignorant and stupid pundits can be.
But Baker Mayfield? Better than Couch, and Kosar. Think Rodgers, Brees, Warner (maybe Favre)...
Okbye
I agree that this move doesn't make a lot of sense, given the massive overload the Browns have at WR as-is, and Miller's lack of success in 2 NFL seasons.
But I think this is an OCD thing with John Dorsey. He had to...you know...do something! Anything!
Well, Justik puts more context on it:
Miller was converted from Quarterback at Ohio State (even though he was a good Quarterback). He was good enough as a receiver to get drafted high, and most experts expected big things out of him (I was lobbying for the Browns to draft him).
Braxton Miller didn't have to be a Wide Receiver. He could have become a running back (except this Elliott guy was there so...) or maybe cornerback or safety and punt/kick returner just...whatever, you see?
In fact, he's a little like another converted Quarterback, Josh Cribbs:
Miller is taller and more explosive, while Cribbs was stouter and stronger. If you recall, Josh made his impact as one of the best returners in NFL history, and was later worked into the WR rotation.
Cribbs became a decent wide receiver, but that's about it. See the similarities?
So let's see what Miller can do at running back and on special teams before we make those final cuts at all those positions, because this guy is just an amazing athlete, and John Dorsey just rented him for peanuts.
Possibly related: Waittilnextyear heard a trade rumor: Callaway and Schobert for Trent Williams (the disgruntled stud Redskins Left Tackle).
I didn't interrogate Bub about his source, but it "clicks".
Callaway is a lethal weapon WR only entering his second season, but Dorsey is eyeball deep in Wide Receivers (including Braxton Miller now).
Schobert? See about 10 earlier posts: He's PFF's top coverage linebacker and a Pro Bowler in his prime, but he's in the final year of his contract and Mack Wilson is here now.
The Redskins allegedly turned down the offer of a 2020 first round pick for Williams (*note that will be near the bottom of the first round*).
Williams has said that he will never play for the Redskins again, but the Redskins keep saying "we'll work something out".
Ok did Dan Sneider fire people, or is this the same crew that franchised Kirk Cousins twice and then lost him? Is this a "he aint gonna push me around testosterone thing or something? Is what we have here a failure to communicate?
I'm not all-in on this myself because of Williams' age and likely salary demands.
I'm not going to pay a guy with one foot in the retirement home over 8% of my cap money; I'm not going to give him a raise as he declines.
It's just the epitomy of irony when 2019 doom and gloomers bring up historical examples of "loaded" NFL teams expected to win big that fell on their faces.
NONE of their examples bears any resemblance to the 2019 Browns.
The teams the bashers cited all paid a bunch of high-profile veteran free agents (like Williams). The 2019 Browns were built through the draft.
And how much of an impact would Trent Williams have on the 2019 Browns?
Not anywhere near even the value of his current contract:
See 20 or so previous posts: Mayfield's quick release, mobility, RPOs, dumpoff options, chips etc.: The 2019 Browns don't need a Trent Williams (or a Joe Thomas, for that matter...and if you don't believe me, ask Big Joe himself! He will break it down for you!)
Big Joe on Truth Serum will say that Greg Robinson isn't in his league, but that in 2019 and this offense, he's "enough" (you'd only need the serum to get him to say Robinson sucks compared to himself).
Nick Chubb (see 7-10 earlier posts) was always a good receiver, as evidenced by his pre-injury/Sony Michel college stats. Always had great hands.
Chubb wasn't used a lot as a receiver in 2018 because Duke was the 3rd down back, and Nick was of course the "bellcow" in a physical offense (and a rookie...and stifled by the idiots Kitchens replaced).
Nick Chubb may be able to do Ebineezer Bell stuff, like line up as a WR. Kareem Hunt does that, as does Duke Johnson--don't be surprised if you see Nick Chubb doing the same stuff in 2019.
I have avoided reading a few articles because they're too obvious:
Baker Mayfield is obviously the Quarterback the Browns have desperately sought for over 20 years. "Sophomore slumps" happen to Quarterbacks who need crutches or have weaknesses (see previous posts); Baker Mayfield will be even better (obviously).
I don't care much about Hue Jackson's emotional trauma or revelations either. These were all obvious to me, which is why Baker Mayfield's taunting and insults pissed me off so much.
Picture yourself a 1-31 Head Coach, forced to "hand the keys over" to Todd Haley (and pretend it was your idea) in order to not get fired...then getting fired anyway, because Haley was worse than YOU were on your worst day...and getting bashed for his incompetence and your protests about that too?
I don't hate Hue Jackson, or consider him an idiot. I'm generally disgusted and enraged by lynch-mobs.
I remember Art Modell and Bill Belichick fleeing Cleveland amidst death threats, and remember the frenzied hate-fest which (combined with the City/County government's refusal to replace the dilapidated cesspool Muni Stadium, while building new facilities for the Indians and Cavs)...
I guess I'm digressing here, but you people need to think with your brains more and your guts less...
Art Modell saved the Cleveland Clinic and gave away way too much money, drafted "niggers" before everybody else, won the last Championship before the Superbowl...
It's despicable that Tony Grossi shows up at each Hall of Fame forum as if it's a parole hearing to make sure Art Modell can't get into the Hall of Fame. Yeah Artie got him fired. Tony is Cicilian. It's a vendetta.
Think with your brain. Tim Couch never sucked, for example:
Couch was an athletic improvisor in a nearly all-pass offense. Head Coach Chris Palmer made him a classic drop-back Quarterback...on an expansion team...
No roll-outs. No shotgun snaps (except on 3rd and a mile).
Despite this idiocy, the rookie Tim Couch was above average; by far outperforming Peyton Manning's rookie season (one year prior).
I was a voice in the wilderness (as usual).
Anyhoo, Couch's chronic elbow condition wrecked him over time, but most of you people don't comprehend that Tim Couch was a great Quarterback who was destroyed by a bad Coach and his elbow.
Was he a "bust"?
That was just to illustrate how ignorant and stupid pundits can be.
But Baker Mayfield? Better than Couch, and Kosar. Think Rodgers, Brees, Warner (maybe Favre)...
Okbye
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