He first asks how does the Defensive Line look?
Randy was pretty good overall: Billings can get Larry Ogunjobi off the field for some needed rest (especially on early or running downs).
But he lumped Jordan Elliott in with venerable past-rushing specialist Adrian Clayborne as a depth-player.
He is most definitely more than that! Jordan Elliott is fairly advanced for a rookie, and has proven himself as both a 2-gap and one-gap player.
While he's best as a 3-tech, he can play zero shade as well. Elliott will get Sheldon Richardson off the field, and be an integral part of a 4-man rotation immediately.
Randy was also very sharp on suggesting that Sheldon Richardson could play some DE again in 2020 to get Pegleg Vernon off the field more (assuming Olivier is still here).
Richardson is a good all-around DE--just not the edge-rusher you need on passing downs.
...the Browns need another EDGE guy, really--Clayborne just isn't very good.
Next, who plays Right Guard? I'm not sure either, but agree that Teller might be the best answer as he has experience there (and next to Tretter)...except Forbes or somebody else overcoming that advantage and beating Teller out would be even better.
Next, which (non-Landry/OBJ) Wide Receiver "steps up". Now that is a tough call!
It's much more important for depth than for 3-wide sets here, as Kareem Hunt (if not traded) or one of 3 Tight Ends will get on the field before any of the "other" WRs.
Odds are that one of the top 2 will need to go after 2020 to free up cap-space, so this competition is important.
Ratley is the fastest and quickest. Higgins is a great West Coast system fit and reliable. Peoples-Jones is a nice size/speed guy with great upside. I can't pick one, although I think Higgins got a raw deal so I'm slightly in his corner emotionally.
Will the Covid 19 Bullshit mass-hysteria mess the team up? I disagree with Randy on this one:
The Ravens and Steelers have a lot more continuity, and the Browns will screw up more.
Only Tretter and Bitonio are holdover Oline starters, and there are significant differences between Dorsey Kitchens' scheme and Stefanski's.
Defensively, 3-4 new starters and at least 3 new rotational players (in a somewhat new scheme) is more turnover than most defenses will have, and that could really hurt early-on.
Next, will linebacker be the team's downfall?
Sigh I keep hearing this Linebacker stuff! We need an experienced veteran or a "proven playmaker".
At least Randy says that the current group presents more questions than answers, and stops it there.
Look at the defensive pre-draft defensive signings: A free safety, strong safety, cornerback, run-stuffing(special teamer) linebacker, and nose tackle.
Meanwhile, they let Joe Schobert walk, because 11 mil/year was too damn much.
Here, we have some clues about what Joe Woods plans to do: He doesn't plan to have a 6' tall linebacker covering 6'5" Tight Ends, for one thing.
Then, they draft Delpit and Phillips, and pay UFA DB AJ Green an unprecedented signing bonus.
Delpit and Phillips are 6'3", and the corrected analyses say that Phillips is good overall in coverage, and Delpit is a great tackler when he has two functional legs.
Both are also exceptionally fast for their positions.
More clues! Joe Woods likes tall, fast guys in his back 7!
You people: Joe points out that the nickel is the real base defense in the NFL and suddenly you ass ume he's Steve Wilks (or Gregg Williams for that matter) with a Safetybacker and 2 real linebackers and stuff.
None of the players the Browns have drafted or signed are shrimp linebackers who cover, or huge safeties who tackle. They're just linebackers or safeties. The linebackers are all expected to stop the run first, and the safeties all must cover well first.
So, Joe Woods' nickel is not a BIG nickel, ok? There are five legitimate Defensive Backs, and the other 6 guys are actual linebackers and defensive linemen, see? (Wow amazing right? Who wooda thunked it?)
Ok so please quit with the handwringing over the linebackers!
Joe prioritizes height and speed over size and speed. This is one way to match up with this growing population of "move" Tight Ends, plus the best way to deal with guys like Julio Jones as well (2 birds, one stone).
There are always trade-offs, as your 5th "DB" might get "engulfed" by a lineman or blocking Tight End, or isn't strong enough to disrupt the Tight End's route, but that's why Woods wants real linebackers in front of them.
Phillips is a real linebacker who is tall and fast, and we can now see why Woods wanted him more than Zach Baun and the higher-profile linebackers
As soon as he is ready, the plan is for Phillips to be a starting linebacker here. Phillips led his conference in tackles, but can also cover Tight Ends.
Mack Wilson and Seoni Takitaki are 6'1" and slower.
Wilson improved rapidly at the tail end of his rookie season, and Takitaki flashed in his limited time.
Goodson aside, which linebacker do you think the Browns should kick to the curb or keep on the bench so we can get some savvy vedderrunn leedershibb in the Linebacker room?
I'm pretty sure that Berry and Woods will tell you that the most important category these guys trail Joe Schobert in was Missed Tackles.
Is any of this sinking in yet?
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