Good For Cam and Lord Insideous, but Baker Mayfield is Alive and Well in Cleveland

Haha Lord Insideous lost a 3rd round 2021 draft pick and the Pats got fined for filming the Bengals' sideline last season.

My younger bro calls the Patriots cheaters and hates them, but I think it's funny.

I worked in Intelligence (shut up with your moronic oxy comments yawn), and can't take stealing signs or getting spit on baseballs too seriously.  To me, it's part of the game.  Why do we wink at the baseball stuff and treat Lord Insideous like a mass-murderer?  Gimme a break.

So Lord Insideous also just signed Cam Newton.  This seemed obvious to me.  Bill will now change his whole offense to accomodate Cam, and find a way to contend while rebuilding.

I haven't read the articles about Andrew Berry's alleged flirtation with Cam, so won't comment on it (and don't care).

I can't believe I have to keep repeating myself, but if you are judging Baker Mayfield off his 2019 performance, you are dumb.

You might have played in the NFL or even coached or worked in a front office, but dumb is dumb.

I personally think Pat Mahomes is better, and wish the pre-Dorsey Browns (with Berry on board) had simply drafted him instead of trading the pick.

But Baker Mayfield is right there with Mahomes (who he calls a good freind by the way.  Mahomes "took his job" at Texas Tech, which is why Baker walked on at Oklahoma.  But Mayfield didn't take it personally--which is why somewhere in there I believe Baker is intelligent):

Anyway, Baker Mayfield has elite talent and has kicked ass at the highest level.

-sigh- the Browns have a Quarterback.  If he gets in another shootout with Pat Mahomes, he can win.  The Chiefs don't have Hunt/Chubb or this offensive line or this secondary.  

Mahomes might be better than Mayfield, but not that much better, and these guys don't play in vacuums...

I'm sorry for the Mayfield fixation here, but Quarterback is obviously critical, and the Mayfield vs Mahomes analogy was neccessary to force you to THINK.

I say "think with your brain", but that just flies over your heads.  Obviously, your brain is your "thinking" component, so when I say "think with your brain" I am obviously implying that some people "think" with other components.

This is why you should insert laughter here.....

-sigh- anyway if you don't think with your brain you think with your gonads or heart or *some other mindless thing*, which -sigh- makes you mindless at worst or idiotic at best DO YOU UNDERSTAND?

-Sigh- anyhoo, Baker Mayfield is one of the most talented QBs in the NFL--in my opinion better than Kirk Cousins (*I have a lot of expert company here*).

People who think with their brains (did you grin when you read that, now that I've explained to you why it is funny?) consider what Baker Mayfield (in year 2 and this coming year) would have done with the 2018 and 2019 Vikings instead of Kirk Cousins.

That's a tough call.  Cousins is much more experienced, has prototypical size, and is a West Coast QB from the ground up.

Baker Mayfield is more athletic, is (imo) more accurate on the run, and more accurate on deeper vertical patterns, and a better fit in the wide zone scheme.

The West Coast part is critical, however:  Kirk Cousins is disciplined and systematic.  Baker Mayfield can do that, but not like Cousins.

Kevin Stefanski shouldn't run the same offense with Baker Mayfield as he did with Kirk Cousins.  I have a hunch that he won't.

Before the Vikings massively overpaid Kirk Cousins, Kase Keenum took them past the Saints in the playoffs, and Mayfield is Keenum on steroids.

Stefanski doesn't need to reinvent the wheel here.  

Mayfield has a stronger arm and better accuracy deep.  Stefanski should find a way to max Baker Mayfield out in his unique 2020 offense.

I have to say this before I sign off:

Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, John Elway, Dan Marino, and a BUNCH of other great Quarterbacks never got to the Superbowl more than 2 times in their lives.

The other 21 guys on their teams MATTERED, ok?  And Trent Dilfer won a Superbowl.

I wish Pat Mahomes was here instead of Mayfield, but prefer Mayfield to DeShaun Watson slightly, and to Wentz and Goff as well.

I reckon Trent Dilfer could win a Superbowl with the Browns' 2020 roster, so...

2020 Browns Linebackera Will Not Suck DEAL WITH JT

The 2020 Browns linebackers will be the weakest unit on the defense, but will be average or above.

There are several reasons for this:

1: Joe Woods seems to use linebackers as run-stoppers and passrushers more than in coverage, and this is what Sione Takitaki and Jacob Phillips do best.

While Woods is having all the linebackers learn every position for now, 3 of them will be on the field less than around 30% of the time.  When there are 2 or even just one, they could line up anywhere; linebacker is kinda generic here.

People seem to think that the linebacker position is more complex than it is in general, and if I'm right, a Joe Woods linebacker can usually just play.

2: Mack Wilson played worse than I had thought throughout 2019, but was learning on the job.  He'll be better in his second season (obviously).  How much better is the only question.

Takitaki truly flashed in his limited opportunities last season, and can definitely stack, shed, and penetrate.  He's a hard-nosed badass, and I even read somewhere that he was adequate in coverage too.

Phillips is the huge sleeper here, as he has the most physical talent, and excelled at the highest level (championship).

Coverage schmoverage--he was a tackling machine, and (honest, Virginia), you don't need a PHD to do that in the NFL.

At his combine, he weighed a little over 230 lbs, but at nearly 6'3", he has the frame to get much bigger and stronger (quickly; he's only 21).

Justice Sutherland channeled my humble self as he looked at 3 unhappy players the Browns could trade for, and came to all the correct conclusions.

Naturally, we greedily want all 3 of them, but Jamal Adams and Ngakoue are too expensive.

Adams, in particular, is a safety demanding edge-rusher money, and if I'm Drew Berry, I don't even want to talk to the guy.

As Justice said, Ngakoue (for the same money as Adams good grief) opposite Myles Garrett would be mind-boggling, but he and Garrett would gobble up over 40 mil/year, and it would cost a high draft pick or 2.

Alshon Jeffery is by far the most realistic trade target.  He is 30, and signed with the Eagles through 2021 at (rounded out) 10 and 12.5 mil respectively (around a 2.3 mil dead cap in 2021).

Jeffery is a deadly weapon, but, like OBJ, gets hurt a lot.  UNlike OBJ, he's a straight up big tall vertical/red zone threat.

The Eagles are getting squeezed by their cap, and know they can't get much for an older, injury-prone player, and Andrew Berry obviously has a great relationship with Eagles GM Howie Roseman.

It's interesting, but still kinda shaky: Jeffery would be the third WR in an offense that will rarely deploy 3 (unless Hunt lines up there).  The Browns now have 3 Tight Ends for the red zone, too.

But I really like how Justice Sutherland thinks.

Captain Obvious  Dan Justik says that we need to curb our enthusiasm in re Nick Chubb.

Clearly, you can't just stick a Kareem Hunt on the bench.  Even if you like one bellcow more than the other, running backs have the shortest carreers in the NFL due to the pounding they take, so you split the carries to protect your investments in both.

Smart running backs get this, and are happy to share the load.  It could mean one more big contract, or at least a couple more years at the end of their carreers.

I remember when Kevin Mack (the "crack-back" heh heh) and Earnest Byner each rushed for over 1,000 yards, and absolutely see that coming here.

Nick Chubb (unlike Kevin Mack) is actually an excellent receiver out of the backfield too.  Chubb hasn't proven he can line up at WR like Hunt can, but he should catch 40 or so passes for 300 or so yards, while Hunt catches more like 55 for 500 or so (he might well beat Nick in total yardage).

I'm blindly guessing that Chubb gets 60% of the carries, and that BOTH of them average OVER 5 YARDS PER-CARRY.

The math isn't too difficult: To top 1,000 yards, a back only needs around 65 yards per game, and Kevin Stefanski will definitely actually hand off (or pitch out) over 50% of the time.

That means at least 35 carries per game, and I predict at least 6 100/100 Chubb/Hunt performances (they each run for 100 yards) in 2020.

Obviously, Terry Pluto, if the Browns offense is dominating like that, they are winning games, and OBJ and everybody else (including Chubb and Hunt) is happy.

All these players want to win first and foremost, and football is the ultimate team sport.  

Certainly there are aberrations like Ebineezer Bell and whatshisname, but the majority of NFL players grok that a rising tide floats all boats.

Pragmaticly speaking, free agents from winning teams get PAID, so if your personal stats aren't great, the wins make you more valuable.

Another article I can't find now asked if the 2020 Browns could have several 1,000 yard producers on offense.

The answer is emphatically "Duh".

I just showed you how Chubb and Hunt can't avoid 1,000 yards each (on carries alone), and we already know that OBJ and Landry can do it because they DID.

OBJ is healthy this year, and has worked with Mayfield.  Landry played hurt in 2019 as well (kept his injury a secret.  No excuses.  Jarvis is old school and a badass).

Stefanski's offense makes it all but impossible to roll a safety to either WR, and they'll both be targeted deeper (*Mayfield's wheelhouse btw*).

4 offensive players are (assuming no injuries) locks to gain 1,000 yards.

None of the Tight Ends are likely to pile up 1,000 yards.  As you know, that's rare for even elite Tight Ends.

Austin Hooper got close to 800 yards with the Falcons in 2019, and DePoBerry made him the highest paid TE in the NFL.

None of the pundits seem capable of comprehending that David Njoku's post-injury late-season benching had nothing to do with his attitude, performance, or talent.

Njoku was benched because JOHN DORSEY DIDN'T DRAFT HIM DO YOU UNDERSTAND!??

Hooper is extremely reliable and blocks well.  Rodney Njokufield is a disciplined BRAIN from a family of disciplined brains (and athletes), and is a freak.

Austin Hooper can't match Ertz or Kittle, but Njoku can.  

I hear you: He's had some idiotic drops, and has a lot of work to do to prove he can be trusted in the clutch--but until then, he makes big plays.

Harrison Bryant will steal some reps later in 2020, and I've heard that Stephen Carlson (a converted WR) is very much in the TE "mix" here.

Anyway, no Tight End will get 1,000 yards, but Njoku and Hooper might combine for 1500 (and 20+ TDs).

The deeper I dig for weaknesses in the 2020 Browns' offense, the more impressed I get.

Right Guard is mainly an issue because each and every other Offensive Line slot is covered by a Pro Bowl calibre player.  An AVERAGE Right Guard (in this zone-blocking scheme) makes this a top 5 offensive line...

And Teller was competent, and Forbes has great upside.

Under Kevin Stefanski, the 2020 Browns offense could be historically good.

I'm as terrified by Lamar Jackson and the Ravens as any of you (who think with your brains), but well...

How is that awesome Ravens' defense going to stop the 2020 Browns' offense?

Ok stop:  NO, they don't just make up their minds, or outwit Stefanski.  

How does any defense stop an unstoppable cave man offense?

It DOESN'T. It CAN'T.

The Ravens' offense is unique and devastating, but get a grip here: The Browns' 2020 offense will be the 2019 Vikings offense on steroids.

Nevermind the Steelers: the Browns might well sweep them.  They can toe the line with the Ravens too--as with any team in the NFL.

Why do you think the mantra for every defense is "stop the run"?

Is any of this sinking in yet?

PFF Quit Playing Poitics. 2020 Browns 11th in NFL Behind the Steelers oh Puh-LEEZE

The Browns' roster is ranked 6th in the AFC by PFF, which is surprisingly objective and fair--even for them...NOT.

11th in the NFL.  PFF believes that 10 teams have more talent, and that one of these is the Steelers.

I've been through this, but it bears repeating:

Go position by position, and compare those players to others in the NFL.

No, I'm not guilty of "fandom".  For example, I think I might have 3 or more WRs ranked ahead of a healthy OBJ, and aren't positive I'll have Jarvis Landry in the top 10...

But if you have the 4th AND 10th best WRs in the NFL, how many tandems can you rank ahead of them?  I'm not sure, but I can tell you that the Steelers don't top that.

Sure, you can pick on the depth behind these 2, except that in reality, Kareem Hunt is one of these, and Rashard Higgins is massively underrated.

Nobody in the NFL can approach Hunt/Chubb.  We keep going through the Tight Ends, OTs, Guards and defensive groups and sub-groups, and (if you're truly objective), only the Linebackers won't rank in the top 5 or 10.

So how can PFF or anyody else rank 10 teams ahead of the Browns?

Quarterback and Linebacker, for two.  Baker Mayfield outsucked his legitimate excuses in his second season, and Joe Schobert is gone (Wilson sucked/Takitaki hardly played etc).

QB first:  This is idiotic.  What Mayfield did in 2018, not to mention throughout his college carreer, was no fluke.  We're supposed to ignore systems and coaching here, but you really can't with Quarterbacks.

Former QB Sam Wyche expects Baker Mayfield to match or exceed the 2019 Kirk Cousins...obviously.

But a lot of these "analysts" outsmart themselves, and I suspect the PFF guys did that here, with Baker Mayfield.

I'm with Sam Wyche (et al) on Baker Mayfield in 2020.  Easily in the top 8, probably top 5 in the NFL; approximating or exceeding Kirk Cousins' 2019 numbers.

PFF expects Gramps Ben to rebound from his latest inury to his throwing shoulder as good as ever, which obviously makes him way better than Baker Mayfield,  who sucked in 2019 (case closed).

Well nooo, PFF: Ben is a lot more beat up than Tom Brady, who is only a couple years older, and his most recent injury was to his throwing shoulder.

You are ignoring his age and the nature of his injury, while simultaneously sticking your thumbs on the scale in re Baker Mayfield (ie 2019 is the "real" Mayfield and 2018 and his whole college carreer don't matter).

The Linebacker issue is different, and less assenine (but still somewhat assenine):

If we're talking talent, as we're allegedly supposed to here, ignoring history, scheme, etc., then PFF (and you people) need to accept that Jacob Phillips is tall, fast, led the SEC in tackles on a Championship team---

I heard his position coach happily reporting that Phillips was getting much stronger--

Anyway Jacob Phillips is a PROVEN "box-player" linebacker.  Nit-picking aside, in reality Phillips blows up plays at or behind the line of scrimmage, and I strongly suspect that "scouts" who question his instincts (vs the run) are fulla beans.

The nit-picking of Jacob in coverage is probably legit...sorta.  Jacob Phillips has "stiff hips", and can't change directons well enough to cover sharp, sudden breaks...

He may indeed lack "instincts" in coverage, but won't need much coaching in man, and (for a linebacker) zone isn't that complicated.

PFF was trying to rank the 32 NFL rosters.  It was supposed to be objective, but it was not.

Seriously, I can't deal with you people anymore:

One asshole cop murdering one bro finally, at long last, proves institutional racism and "genocide"?  You people...THINK about this:

We all agree that that cop needs to be tortured to death, and will burn in hell.  All the rioting, burning, looting, murders, etc have nothing to do with George Floyd.

For YEARS, the Left has been scouring all the bros shot or killed by white cops, and finally they get George Floyd.

"SEE?  We were right all along! See?  White cops are mass-murdering bros and stuff and here's conclusive proof!"

But I digress: The 2020 Browns are more talented than the Steelers, obviously, on this planet.  It would be awesome if this Browns blog got somebody critically thinking (I aim high.  You people are brainwashed.  Axe Black Lives Matter about Woodrow Wilson you idiots)

Sorry (Not):  Here in reality, the Browns are actually a top 6 talented team *I'm being conservative here*.

QB aside, the rest is obvious. PFF (*the analysts/geeks*)  think Mayfield is "meh" and Phillips is irrelevant (and Hunt et al don't exist, and gimme a break):

If you think the 2020 Browns are punked out by the Ravens, or even that Jackson outguns Mayfield, you are wrong.

Puntits are "piling on" with Baker Mayfield, as they ass ume that he will choke in 2020.

WTF is WRONG with you people?  

...oh yeah.  I get it now: Mayfield=Trump.  He is the worst QB in history, and also the personification of both evil and incompetance.

Gimme a break.

Oh yeah Covid 19 positives have increased commensurate with increased testing.

You people...

2020 Browns and Brains...Believe it or not. We Hope. For a Change. Dammit

Social Justice warrior and Head Coach Kevin Stafanski was asked how he plans to spread the ball around to so many talented players.

Kevin seems much smarter about football than he is about white guilt and echo-chambers, as he actually gave an actual answer:

He's not going to worry about who gets what when.  He's going to let the weekly matchup determine the game-plan.

Outstanding.  Every defense is unique, and clearly Stefanski intends to use whichever combinations seem best-suited to exploit the given defense's weaknesses.

He also mentioned the old axiom "think about the players, not the plays".  If I heard him right, he was talking about exploiting individual mismatches by any means neccessary.

So far, everybody is repeating how often Stefanski has used 2 Tight Ends, etc., but he didn't have Chubb and Hunt (for all intents and purposes, 2 rushing champs in their primes) in Minnesota.

Bucky Brooks, asked how Hunt and Chubb should be used, said "as runners".  Bucky says there's no reason why this team shouldn't be running the ball 32+ times per game--maybe 18 for Chubb and 12 or so for Hunt.

Bucky didn't spell it out, but doesn't seem to think that passing to these guys would be especially helpful, as there are all those receivers all over the place that get deeper (where Mayfield likes 'em) thanks to defenses throwing the kitchen sink at the running backs.

Bucky was a defensive back, and probably also likes the idea of Hunt/Chubb blocking for eachother (they would target secondary players a lot--including safetybackers--and deck them).

Stefanski mentioned that both these guys are just "excited to contribute to a winning team", and are old school.

I hate to keep repeating this, but a "2-back" can also turn into a 1-back with Kareem Hunt's ability to line up in the slot.

An "elephant" set is 2 big backs and 2 Tight Ends (one WR).  Defenses yank any passrushers who lack physicality, and sub in all their run-stuffers; only 4 real DBs, obviously.

Hunt lining up wide (along with Njoku) turns this into a 3-wide spread vs a base defense that probably has to blitze to create meaningful pressure, while simultaneously opening up huge gaps for a handoff.

But Kevin Stefanski sounded like we might see this stuff one week, then 1 back the next week, then 2 backs and 2 WRS the next week.

I love it!  The main thing for real team players is winning.  Look at the Patriots:  Sure, Gronk and Brady have hogged most of the glory, but a lot of "lesser lights" moved on with RINGS and pay-raises.

You people: OBJ is a team player.  If the Browns' Coaches don't cost them any games, he'll be cool.

Stefanski seems to have a handle on the "big personalities" so far, and if they don't lose games because of HIM they'll be good.

Kicking nets aside, the FEW times that OBJ ever made waves was over offensive playcalling, and he was RIGHT.

His twitter jargon makes OBJ sound like a dumbass, but he not.  He jusno what up--cooda called up a win onnat himself--is what it is deal wittit.

There's a BRAIN hidden in there!  And Landry/OBJ are NOT selfish mememe divas.

Baker Mayfield is obviously and predictably more socially just than Stefanski, but I am able to separate his talent from his social sheepdom:

Brian Billick (and a bunch of other people including Brooks) expect Mayfield (the Quarterback) to kick major ass in 2020.

Billick mentioned 2018 (Mayfield's record-breaking rookie season) repeatedly, along with Stefanski's scheme, his Offensive Line, and his upgraded weaponry in 2020, along with Mayfield's whole history, and kinda said "why not?"

Brian Billick himself was a Quarterback, and then an offensive coach (until the racist Ozzie Newsome hired him as the Ravens' Head Coach because he was white, and he won a Superbowl because the institutionally racist fix was in)

Anyway, Billick expects Mayfield to do more than Kirk Cousins did in 2019.  I partly want to say "wow", and partly "DUH"!

Bucky Brooks expects the WRs and TEs to catch fewer passes, but to average more yards per-catch.

PFF grades the Browns' 2020 roster as the 6th best in the NFL. I haven't seen if they isolated Offense or meant overall yet, but assuming the latter, that's about right.

Most analyses declaim the Linebacker position (and some want us to trade draft picks and 10 mil for a SS)  oh you people...Jacob Phillips is a STUD Linebacker!!!

Why are you writing him off!?!  Because he needs work in coverage?

Phillips has a great chance to start at LB as a rookie:

He's taller and faster than Takitaki and Wilson, and led his league in tackles while winning a National Championship, and...wtf I need more?  

You people! 20 mil and multiple high draft picks for a strong safety!?!  Derroyeee.

Ok maybe DePoBerry might trade for a 25 year old elite EDGE-Rusher they'd have to pay only a little less than Garrett to nail down, but in the REAL world...

A SAFETY?  NOW?  For the same MONEY and more draft picks...than the EDGE-Rusher--

Read this.  Unlike the greedy egomaniac strong safety, this edge-rusher might be worth 20 mil or so.

Ngakoue is in play for the 2020 Browns, but he's been overhyped, and his projected salary inflated.

Moreover, the JagWIRES (you idiots) have zero leverage with this guy.  Why are we talking about Njoku AND a 2021 2nd round pick for this guy?

You people keep expecting DePoBerry to be as dumb as YOU are...okbye 💩👊

Brett Favre for President! (Oh yeah Biden...Nevermind)

Joe, you say your teammates are uncomfortable wearing black skins in America, and you talk about watching every word that comes out of your mouth because now you realize that all us white people are subconsciously racist.

Ask Chris Rock or Morgan Freeman about that.

I'm not calling your teammates liars, but that's bullcrap, Joe.  Race is an industry, and a lot of people have put racism on life support (notably maxists who want to destroy this country).

Useful idiots (no offense) swallow it hook/line/sinker.  Al Sharpton got famous deliberately framing some cops for the faked rape of Tawana Brawley, and now he has a talk show?  Next up: Jesse Smollett.

Your black teammates are influenced by these deranged voices, while they won't read or hear from Thomas Sowell or Ben Carson on any outlet they're allowed to view or watch.

Here goes Joe "Boy, that sucked---oh my god I didn't mean that...oh maybe I did!  I have to re-examine my feelings but for now can you please accept my sincere apology for thoughtlessly spewing that hurtful word?  And may I hug you please?"

Ever read anything on this subject from Professor Walter Williams? Niether have they!  They've got older people telling them cops are oppressors and they are oppressed.

Racism is still all around but now it's subtle, see?  You will hear the "code" if you listen for it.  It's like Joe Thomas!  THINKS he's not racist, but really he is and just doesn't know it, see?

Hey: If you listen hard enough, you will find a way to hear whatever you expect to hear.

Ok you heard Brett Favre comparing Comrade Kaperdick to Pat Tilman, right?  Well, that's what all you mind-numbed zombies sound like to Larry Elder, Morgan Freeman and me. William Rasberry must be spinning in his grave too!

Brett: GET HELP, man!  Tilman not only went to war, but was on our side!  

Joe, maybe your teammates should listen to Herman Cain too, and get that racist bullcrap out of their heads like all these other black guys did.

Know what else?  All of THEM faced REAL racism, unlike your teammates, Joe!

Baker Mayfield Compared to Kirk Cousins. 2020 Browns Offense Compared to 2019 Vikings Offense

According to Chris Trepasso, there are plenty of reasons to expect Baker Mayfield to have a better year than he did as a rookie in 2018.

No need to go over all the new players and the new system yet again (you're welcome), but Chris dug a little deeper into what Baker himself did wrong and needs to fix.

Citing a number of in-depth PFF stats, Chris illustrates how Mayfield sometimes caused pressure on himself by moving the wrong was (often prematurely).  I don't think Chris mentioned it, but Mayfield also held the ball too long too often.

And yes, he was inaccurate on short and intermediate passes---but is still deadly throwing deep.

Certainly, John Dorsey Freddie Kitchens' 2019 offense was a bad fit for Mayfied, but it seemed to have gotten into his head.  He took so many hits and sacks early that he started imagining pressure when it wasn't there (and taking his eyes off the secondary).

As I have told you, he also fixated on OBJ in a way he never fixated on any other receiver, and seemed to lose track of his 2nd and 3rd options sometimes.

Trepasso expects the changes around Mayfield and his normal development to have him playing "a little" better than he did in his rookie season (which would be pretty damn good!)

I personally expect a Kirk Cousins-like year out of Mayfield, which it seems clear that Chris does not ("marginal athleticism at best"?)

2019 Vikings O vs 2020 Browns O:

WR is the same (except different): Similar talent level, but Stephon Diggs was taller and a bigger target.

TE is similar too.

RB is different: Dalvin Cook is a bit smaller than our guys, and there was only one of him.  He's a little quicker and faster.

Overall, the skill positions are actually a little better with the Browns, as Kareem Hunt is training with the wide receivers.

Kevin Stefanski will have more options with this group, as he can move Hunt around  use more 2-back and 3-TE personnel groups than he could with the '19 Vikings.

Those who keep hammering at a lack of WR depth ignore Hunt in that role (not to mention Higgins and Peoples-Jones, and the fact that they don't NEED more depth there oh fk I give up screw it).

I also think that by the 2nd half of 2020, the Browns' Offensive Line will be better than the '19 Vikings.

Mayfield vs Cousins:

Kirk Cousins is bigger and taller.  Mayfield is more athletic (Hey Chris is Mahomes like..."slightly" athletic?  Is Jackson "above average" maybe but I digress):

Both can throw on the move.

Cousins is a true West Coast Quarterback.  He gets the ball out on-time and excels on crossing patterns.  He's a little more accurate and has better touch than Mayfied on those throws (so far).

Mayfield has a stronger arm and better accuracy intermediate and deep and on vertical throws.

I need to mention here that Tight End "seam" routes are verticals, and Baker can probably use Tight Ends better than Kirk.

The Browns can probably run even more than the Vikings did.   Hunt and Chubb can block for eachother (and are proud to do it), and are harder to take down than Cook.

The '20 Browns will probably use more runs (and dump-offs) and fewer short slants and crosses.  Probably more misdirection as well.

Right now, it looks like Baker Mayfield will throw 5% or so fewer passes than Cousins, but should have more yards per-completion (and attempt) and more TDs.

But he's stuck in the same Division with the Steelers and Ravens (and don't sleep on Burrows' revamped Bengals offense either), so there could be some "shootouts", and Baker could top Kirk's stellar 2019 season.

I wish the Browns could extend and keep Kareem Hunt.

I understand the math:  Nick Chubb is a beast himself, and no team can afford to keep 2 elite running backs under the cap.

Kareem won't be the "big dog" here, but if he catches 60 or so passes for 600 or so yards and takes 200 or so carries for another thousand, he ought to become the highest paid RB in the NFL.

But, you remember Ebineezer Belle? He did what Hunt and Cook do, and that's why he got so greedy and lost his damn mind: He wanted to get paid like a Wide Receiver.

You have to take his demands seriously, because he did line up at WR and produce there.  But he was still mainly a running back and trying to bankrupt his team.

Amyway, can we reconsider keeping Hunt and Chubb longer-term?

I mean, look at this Hunt is training with the Wide Receivers; he's already going to be the third WR and will play there more if Landry or OBJ go down.  When I said "60 or so passes for 600 or so yards", you didn't even blink.

Christian McCaffrey signed a record-setting 3-year deal averaging around 17 mil/year.

Julio Jones is the highest paid WR at 22 mil/year.

Obviously, Hunt isn't Jones, but he's...well...he could be like Jarvis Landry, or at least a good #2 or sweet slot guy.

You PAY him as merely just a running back, but you really secure several positions, and he's playing WR at a discount.

Stefanski gets to keep his super-backfield and 2-back offense, so (except for a deep threat X) he doesn't have to worry about WR.  As it is, Stefanski will struggle to use more than ONE true WR!  He'll have to bench one of the RBs, or a TE to do it!

I know that a Hunt/Chubb backfield beyond 2020 is impossible.

I just don't know why.

THINK WITH YOUR BRAINS GDAMMIT DON't Be a TOOL A G A I N. Baaahhh! Baaahhhh!

Hey Kevin!  While you're providing your players with "enlightening" information, why don't you include Thomas Sowell?  

I didn't think so.  I just need to toss this out there, comrades:

Some law enforcement reforms make sense, like the joint-stressing restaint holds I mentioned.  Ironically, the Police have probably been reluctant to use them because lawyers can't wait to sue over broken fingers or sprained wrists etc.

By the way, a sleeper isn't a "choke hold".  The airway is never compressed.  (Try explaining "semi-automatic" to some people jeez)

Charge other officers for not inervening and preventing another cop from committing a murder.  And fire cops with too many excessive force complaints.

And separate those cops and this incident from the other 95%.  And learn critical thinking.  And quit being pod people and sheep.  And grow up.

I'm kinda burned out on the Clowney saga here.  15 mil for one season sounds like a plausible offer.  The one-year part would be Berry accepting that Clowney is just reluctant to come here, and trying to trade Pegleg Vernon in for him.

Jadeveon Clowney has been unrealistic about his market value, and this might be the best "final offer" he gets from anybody except the Seahawks.

-Yawn- whatever, Jadeveon.  Good luck zzzzz whuh...oh well yeah I would like for him to sign on here.  Get off the sacks, and Clowney is a total-package beast, coming off core-muscle surgery (like OBJ).

Oh yeah: I guarantee you that one reason why Jadeveon is reluctant to come to the Browns is that he'd spend the majority of his time on the strong side, as Myles Garrett is the top blindside rusher here.

I feel Clowney's pain, because he's a custom-built blindside passrusher.  He wants to be THE man now, and I don't blame him.

Cleveland might be the best he can do in that context:

Look what Joe Woods did with Von Miller (on the strong side)!  Miller and Clowney have lots in common, too.  

Woods has already mentioned using Adrian Clayborn inside, meaning...ok sorry almost got started there--but Clowney will see at least some weakside passrush opportunities here with Joe Woods (naturally Von Bell moved around under him anyway)...

Clowney might be afraid that Joe Woods would stand him up and put him in coverage like he did Miller too, but here we're getting silly and either Jadeveon has a brain or he doesn't.

Terry Pluto takes Hue Jackson to task for his "revisionist history".  I don't care so much about how Hue plays politics as about certain facts that Terry hammered on in his effort to discredit Jackson:

(Correction: Sashi Brown was the official GM, but Terry et al persist in attributing every draft pick etc to him:

Sashi Brown was a lawyer and cap specialist.  He is also extremely smart, and had awesome interpersonal skills.  He was adept at mediating and resolving conflicts.

The Haslams named him GM for these reasons, and Sashi was never expected to make critical decisions on players.  Brown was expected to do some math and execute the consensus of his scouts, coaches, and Paul DePodesta.

Terry keeps writing as if Sashi Brown was an actual General Manager.  Technically he was, but in reality he was a cap guy/lawyer/negotiator overseeing the real football guys.

Sashi was replaced by John Dorsey, who had built the KC Chiefs.

At that time, I was thrilled.  While it was idiotic to blame all the misery on Sashi Brown (go back 4 paragraphs and re-read slowly), John Dorsey HAD built an awesome team--drafting Hunt, Hill, Kelce, Mahomes--signing Alex Smith...

As the Browns GM, Dorsey really couldn't lose, with all the draft picks he inheritted, but he drafted Baker Mayfield 1st overall.

He was right.  (We'll settle this debate in 2 years or so).

Denzel Ward looks great so far...

Nevermind Dorsey wasn't a dumbass but still screwed up massively with the OBJ/Pegleg Vernon trade in 2019.

When Dorsey traded Zeitler, Peppers, and a 1st and 3rd round pick for OBJ, Pegleg Vernon, and over 18 mil more against the cap, I stopped respecting him.

I tried.  "He's clearly going for all the marbles here" etc., but (as you can read), I thought these trades were idiotic.

This is where I stopped deferring to these real pros.  

It actually started earlier, as more and more often my proposed moves (as documented here) proved smarter than the "expert" moves (and listen: my "awakening" was the Mitchell Schwartze release.)

But NOW, you people?  I think Kevin Stefanski is "woke" (or something), and now consider myself smarter than him too.

(Ok well only if he really believes this crap.  It's way more likely that he expects to be part of the "intelligencia" once capitalism has been destroyed and stuff).

Ok sorry I'm making too many assumptions about Kevin Stefanski.  Just because you're a brain doesn't mean you can't be clueless.

Kevin said "enlightened/enlightening" at least twice, and he's not a "word of the week" guy, right?

It's just possible that Kevin Stefanski has just been dedicated to his carreer until now, and is genuinely clueless about "social justice".

Stefanski has already done his homework on this stuff, and Berry (who is black African American) did long ago.

Kevin Stefanski might be a great Coach, but isn't a great person...I think.

Here's the short story, you people--and by all means track social justice warrior Kevin Stefanski: 

Is reality reality?  Is the truth the truth?  Are you a zombie, or a pod person?  Have you been stupified and indoctrinated no offense (but shut up).

Sorry I confused you okbye

This just in: Terrific article by Josh Brown about Clowney and Rodney Griffenfield.

If we're down to one year offers, sign Griffen and RETAIN Vernon (see last 2 posts).

Even though Clowney offers much better long-term upside, he's not a Browns fan.

Even if he got like 10 sacks in 2020, he's worth 21+ mil and the Browns can't keep him and Garrett both...so why tf not use Griffen/Vernon in 2020 (instead of Clowney)?

...is any of this sinking in?

Baker Mayfield, YOU Get Your Head Out! Baaah! Baaahhh!

How utterly predictable that Baker Mayfield is leaping at the chance to make some noise again, now that the coast is clear.

Kevin Stefanski is all-in on the manufactured institutional racism thing, and is enouraging his players to "participate" in pushing for yet more restrictionsforms on criminal justice.

That's ok--especially if Stefanski and co really do provide the players with research and resources, but somehow I doubt that these will include Professor William Jacobson or Professor Walter Williams or Dr Ben Carson or anybody else who is rational, and sees who these people really are, and what they really want (see "Venezuela")

Institutional racism does not exist.  Cops aren't systematically killing black people.  Some of them (as many minorities as whites) make a critical mistake under stress, and the color of the other person is irrelevant.

The vast majority of these killings are cleared not because the "fix was in", but because the cop(s) did nothing wrong---as it was with Micheal Brown in Ferguson (ELEVEN black eye witnesses backed that cop dammit and Black Lives Matter still chants "Hands up don't shoot!"  All lies!)

There goes Baker--he's got to be up front of the cool kids so he's got to take a knee during the National Anthem too!

It has nothing to do with the flag you face when you sing it, as you stand up as a gesture of respect for the flag I'm sorry what the fk is your head full of when you excrete that senseless garbage out of your mouth?  

Reforms are in order; mainly in training these police.  Suspects can be subdued with stress on their joints (including fingers), and kneeling on a guy after he's already in cuffs needs to be a firing offense.  It's cruel and unneccessary, even if it's not fatal.

These gaping rectums just burned down a Wendys because another shooting happened in front of it.  That one might be a bad shoot because the violently resisting suspect was just trying to shoot a cop with a taser he had taken off one of them as he fought them, but I'm not sure.

Is the cop supposed to let himself get tased and drop his gun in front of this violent felon who likes fighting police?

Doesn't matter, does it?

When most urban law enforcement bodies have the same disproportionately high number of minority officers as the jails have of minority inmates, and many mayors, commissioners, chiefs, judges, and prosecutors are black, how TF is systemic racism possible, Sherlock?

Everybody knows murder when they see it, and that psychopath is going to prison (preferably the general population), as his junior officers might as well.

Bad cops are fired and sometimes jailed all the time, but it's never written about or even recognized.  It will be when they realize that many of these officers are black, so they can be used as more victims of institutional racism.

I cross my fingers and hope that Stefanski actually will be objective about this (though I doubt it).  Baker Mayfield is just "down with the cause" and gets to poke somebody in the eye again (look at me I'm a cool rebel standing truth to power up for and stuff high five!  He let's BURN a flag!)

Or maybe he's just a pod person like the former Drew Brees.  (I think Brees must be a pod person, because I can't believe they "broke" him that fast.  One day he's just himself and the next he's a zombie babbling sound-bytes.  Oh...zombie--maybe they just bit him?)

Well I'm ok.  The NFL doesn't get a dime from me.  If Baker was for real, he'd rebel against the kneelers.

But then...Brees...nah!  He'll punk out and kneel even after he knows it's all bullshit.  My hee-row!

DePoBerry Can't Wait for the Trade Deadline...but Stop Expecting them to be Stupid.

This comedian wrote a funny article about trades the Browns could make.  He was sharp enough to check out teams that will be under cap pressure, and players entering their final contract seasons.

This guy also looked at guys on franchise tags and guys demanding big money (naturally all elite), so I kinda ignored the "trade" part:

Paul DePodesta will continue to priotitize the NFL draft to sustain this team, and will at all costs avoid trading high draft picks for players poised to put him in cap hell.

Honestly, this is arithmatic, and I'm stunned by these pundits who don't comprehend it!  They're trying to extend Myles Garrett as I write this, and that actually could get up near 25 mil/year, and he's just the first in a long line of solid young draft picks.

A Garrett signing now would immediately cost over 9 mil in cap space.  Meanwhile Mayfield and Ward will be where Garrett is now in 2021.

Why on earth would you trade a first or second round pick AND commit 15+ mil/year for a...what the hell is the matter with you people!?!  Why can't you comprehend this stuff?

Jeez...Andrew Berry will listen to offers FOR David Njoku, Larry Ogunjobi, Chris Hubbard, Kareem Hunt etc, hoping to reduce salary and gain draft picks (duh)sigh, but is obviously unlikely to be...well, STOOPID.

There's an outside chance of trading a 5th round pick to guarantee a young stud before he hits the open market and things get rediculous, but DePoBerry, equipped as they are with functional brains, will wait under the salary cap trees with huge nets to catch the good players the majority of teams will be forced to cut.

I hear some of you: You think the Browns are very "close", so you think they should "pay up" for a veteran star or 2 and go for all the marbles.

That sounds familiar hmmm...

Oh!  Yeah!  Zeitler, a 1st and 3rd round pick, and Jabrill Peppers for Olivier Vernon and OBJ!  Wow that worked out great!  Yeah let's do it again!

Sarcasm on pause here, check that out:

1: Net over 17 mil off the 2019 cap space.

2: A STUD young SS sent away.

3: A 1st and 3rd round pick gone.

Zeitler aside, this trade flushed young, inexpensive talent for older expensive talent.  Who might the Browns have drafted in the 1st and 3rd round in 2019?  Would 16 mil or so come in handy?

DO YOU UNDERSTAND?

I look forward to DePoBerry collecting more talent at Salary cap crunch time, building the roster dirt-cheap; taking advantage of guys like John Dorsey who are paying for 30 million dollar spending sprees...and watching the pundits figure it out weeks later...

Mayfield vs Jackson, Cowherd Dumbassitude, Setting the Bar Higher Regardess of Youth

You guys need to quit acting like what Baker Mayfield did to Hue Jackson never happened. Hue us writing a book about his experience as an NFL coach, and part of that was his stint with Baker Mayfield.

Do you people ever listen to yourselves, telling Hue Jackson to (sigh) "let go of Baker Mayfield", as if he's obsessed or something?

Hell if I'm writing a book and some player had bashed and punked me like that, I sure wouldn't shut up about it!  Put aside the Koolade: It was bizarre, ok?  I was ashamed of Baker Mayfield.

Calling Hue a "fake" in writing was brutal, but I thought he was just blurting the truth out (and that he hated Hue), and figured he'd learn to keep his mouth shut as he (ahem) matured...but then this "stare-down" crap...

Man, don't get me re-started...well, just look at that film!  If I'm Hue Jackson, I'm gonna use that idiocy to help me sell some books!

Nor was Hue bashing Baker Mayfield personally.  He never did.

Ok ok Hue immediately declared Tyrod Taylor the starter--in effect saying that Baker Mayfield "need not apply" for the starting role.

I admit that at that time I thought this was smart.  Hue Jackson was trying to avoid a Quarterback Controversey and a big mess, and Tyrod Taylor was actually a decent starting Quarterback.

Skipping a lot of boring analysis here, what I think happened was:

1: Mayfield, determined to be a "good soldier", reluctantly accepted this decision publicly, while privately telling Hue that he should have had a chance, and Hue probably said "I'm glad you feel like that! "

2: Hue made SURE that Baker Mayfield NEVER got ANY reps with the first units, all the way to the regular season opener.

This was EXTREME.  Baker Mayfield was obviously as bothered by this as most pundits (including GMs, Coaches, and Quarterbacks) were.

3: Hue stuck to his guns and didn't deviate from his hard-line no-reps-with-the-ones mandate despite the offense's mediocrity

*Remember that Mywayorthehighway Haley was the official Offensive Coordinator, and Todd Haley--nevermind Hue was the Head Coach, so Mayfield blamed everything on him*

4: AFTER Baker came off the bench and brought the Browns back to beat the Jets, Hue Jackson said "we'll have to see the tape" etc when asked about the starting Quarterback in the next game.

Even without knowing what went on in-person between these 2 guys, all of us can see why Baker Mayfield hates Hue Jackson, but not why he is a vindictive PUNK.

...So far.  In 2020, Baker Mayfield has sounded remarkably mature (ie 80% SILENT and the rest PC).

Screw all that: Colin Cowherd says that Baker Mayfield will get "fired" if he doesn't make the playoffs in 2020.

He is wrong.  Colin is right about all the offensive talent he cited, but he ignores the new offensive and defensive systems here vs the established systems in Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Cinci...

Colin is superficially right, sorta, but his premise is that somebody has to get fired if the 2020 Browns don't...

...Fuck you, Colin:

The Steelers sans Big Ben barely missed last season, and upgraded significantly this offseason.  The Ravens are...well let's DEAL with them ok!?!

Cowherd says that Mayfield has to go if the 2020 Browns don't make the playoffs?

...I actually hear where Cowherd is coming from here: The 2020 Browns (notably Mayfield's weapons and bodyguards) are elite.

...ok I agree with Cowturd that Mayfield should get the '20 Browns to the playoffs, but not that Mayfield needs to get fired if they don't.

Colon would stipulate that the Ravens are a top 2 AFC contender, and that the Steelers will be much more formidable with Big Ben back.

The Browns bring in all new coaches and systems in the bullshit Covid 19 era, at LEAST 7 new starters--how can you say that Baker Mayfield will be fired after his third season if he misses the playoffs?

I do kinda feel kinship with Colon here:  If Baker Mayfield isn't as good as Kirk Cousins in this scheme/with these players, in year 3, then...

But Cowherd is typicly extreme:  21 other players get a vote, and Quarterbacks don't grow on trees.

Simpletonians:  If one QB throws for 330 yards, 3 TDs, and runs for 27 yards and another TD,  and his opposite number throws for 235 yards and 2 TDs, and runs for 110 yards and 2 more TDs, which of the 2 needs tp get fired if the second Quarterback wins?  Do you cut Quarterbacks for bad calls by the referee too?

For real, Baker Mayfield is Baker TRUMP.  (At least for Colon.)

I HAVE SPAKEN

Drew Brees is a Pod Person. Colon Kaperdick is not a Good QB...or Nelson Mandella. STOP IT You Spoiled Brats!!!

It's always nice to hear another politically incorrect guy just come out and say what the sheep and pod people (that means you, whatever replaced Drew Brees) are afraid to say.

Steve Gessik Jr says that Hue Jackson wanting Colon Kaperdick is just more evidence that Hue was a bad Head case coach, because Kaperdick was a bad Quarterback.

Certainly, Colon's taking a knee during the National Anthem, which is when we face the flag and sing to it; that is to say the ONLY POSSIBLE CONTEXT...kept a bunch of owners from touching him with a ten foot pole, but he wasn't very good, either.

Quit rewriting history--you'd think this clown was Nelson Mandella getting out of prison!

Hue Jackson wanted him.  Big surprise.  If true...

WHO says the Browns offered Jadeveon Clowney 18 mil/year?  

His AGENT?  A blogger like me, speculating?  Hey, just...you know I don't buy this (but what do I know?)

Don't believe everything you read: Clowney doesn't rate 18 mil for one season based on his mediocre 2019 season and historical---well never having double-digit sacks EVER DO YOU U N D E R S T A N D?

The 18 mil over multiple seasons is almost as rediculous.  DePoBerry have to look ahead and NOT massively overpay guys like Clowney (like--you know--SPAZZES would?) nevermind: Anybody who reads this Blog knows idiocy when they hear it.

The one year offer wouldn't be over 16 mil, and any longer-term offer would never promise over 17 mil/year jeez how desperate do these clowns hallucinate the Browns are, and how great do they hallucinate Clowney is?

Andrew Berry and Paul DePodesta think with their brains, so if I could afford to bet, I would bet on Everson Griffen signing a 1-3 year deal with the Browns.

Ahh, shaddap!  He had 8 sacks last season but is 32, so please shut up about "prove it" deals, as I have it on good authority that Everson Griffen has a 3-digit IQ 

I predict a 12+k fully guaranteed offer (no doubt with performance bonusses) in 2020, but suggest possible additional years for less money with less guaranteed but with more incentives.

An intelligent, sane 32 year old Edge-rusher takes this deal.  If he gets cut in 2021 he gets maybe 3.75 mil and can still look for work.  If he holds Father Time off, he sticks around on a contender for decent money oh but I digress and got in the weeds and done confused you and stuff sorry!

Sticking to 2020, thanks to Terry Pluto for reminding me that Pegleg Vernon's salary is irrelevent.  The 2020 Browns are flush with cash (including to extend Myles Garrett or make big moves).  Vernon's 15.5 mil drops off the books in 2021, so...well, you don't cut him unless you actually have a better player (or a younger guy you'd have to cut that---ok sorry but it's not simple):

Anyhow (thanks again Terry) the Browns could sign Everson Griffen and NOT cut Olivier Vernon...and holee chit Batman!

Suddenly, this represents a DEEP EDGE rotation in 2020!  

Pegleg Vernon has been an excellent player when healthy.  He's played both linebacker and DE and performed well overall.  He's done most of his passrush damage from the weak side, but---

Well I've covered all this before and will again, but for now:

Garrett/Vernon/Griffen/Clayborn!?!  That's impressive!!!

Clayborn is the only one who isn't good or great vs the run, and here's Joe Woods talking about using him inside!  Remember Richardson at DE on run downs?

I gotta cut this short (lest I get sued for heads exploding) but in summary adding Everson Griffen to the current crew could give the '20 Browns a puncher's chance vs the '20 Ratbirds (plus brush the Steelers off like lint).

18 mil offer for Clowney who tf buys that you people, let alone REGURGITATES it?  Griffen had 8 sacks in 2019...

Nevermind.

High Ankle Sprains 101, Intro to Critical Thinking, Kareem Hunt's Value Duh, the Browns and Stuff

J D Bagley wrote a decent article guesstimating how the Browns might use their 2020 draft class this season.

It was pretty good, but J D did make a few small mistakes:

1: I haven't heard anyone accuse Delpit of playing to protect his sprained high ankle, but if anybody did, J D should filter them out from now on.

I guess you just have to experience a high ankle sprain for yourself to know how idiotic that statement would be.

The ankle has to be immobilized under layers of tape before the player can even function.  That ankle can barely bend.  You can't drive off that leg.  You have to run on the flat of that foot.  You can't cut hard away from that ankle, and by the way: It HURTS.

The injury itself made a HUGE difference in Delpitt's 2019 regular season performance.  You really can't "protect" it.  The 50 or so layers of tape does that for you.

2: DT Jordan Elliott should play on at least 25% of the defensive snaps (more likely 30%).  Ogunjobi and Richardson are under 305 lbs., and Larry has been starting as the zero shade (nose tackle).

Andrew Billings (327 lbs) is here to take a big chunk of that off him, but Elliott is here as the 4th part of a 4-man rotation.  He's pretty refined technically, and has produced at both nose tackle and 3-tech.  PFF graded him as the second best DT in this draft class, and even the consensus ranked him third.

3: The fact that the analytics guys don't value linebackers highly has zero to do with how much playing time the one they drafted in the third round (Jacob Phillips) will get.

They didn't spend a third round pick on a "project".  This was the biggest correction; Phillips will compete for a starting role, and Mack Wilson is just another guy in that competition.

That's all.  J D got most of it right.

Randy Gurzi lists 3 players he thinks the Browns might consider trading ahead of the season.

Long story short it's Terrence Mitchell (honorable mention), Sheldon Richardson, Olivier Vernon, and David Njoku.

Randy's rationale for each made sense, but most of these trades are highly unlikely unless Andrew Berry is willing to accept almost nothing in exchange for really good players (and has a capital "L" tattoo on his forehead).

Randy himself describes Terrence Mitchell as a top-flight man corner, and there are only two others on this roster.  Mitchell is on the final year of his contract, and nobody would trade more than...well it's just dumb, ok? You keep Mitchell, and even try to extend him (he's only 28, and it seems like everybody hates him so...)

Richardson is different, as he's under contract through 2021, and is durably kicking ass at 28-29 years of age, and anybody with a brain would want him for under 12 mil/year BUT:

Nobody will offer a 2nd round pick (etc) for him so how 'bout we just KEEP him, ok?

Nobody will trade for Pegleg Vernon in the final year of his 15.5 mil contract.  What is Randy fishing for here-a 2021 conditional 6th round pick?

But David Njoku could be different, as other NFL teams might consider...

Ok Njoku's cieling is astronomical and his floor is above average, and with 2 years left on a contract you don't take less than a mid-2nd round pick and change for that, and that aint happening either.

I can't believe that Gurzi didn't list Kareem Hunt here!

Technically, some other team making Hunt an offer isn't a trade, but if the Browns don't match that offer, the other team surrenders their highest 2nd round pick to the Browns for him (per his 2nd round tender).

Randy et al seem to be unanimous on this subject:  No GM in the NFL will make an offer to Kareem Hunt.

Well let's see: Kareem Hunt was the rushing champion as a rookie, as well as a surprising receiver.

Why on Earth would any other NFL team want Kareem Hunt?  (At a big DISCOUNT due to his off the field issues?)

This isn't technically a "trade", but is THE most likely transaction that I seem to be the only guy on Earth sees coming.

I don't get it!  Why doesn't anybody else seem to get that the NFL rushing champ from 2 years ago who subsequently proved a lethal weapon receiver is now NOT worth a low-ball offer and a 2nd round pick?

Kareem Hunt is obviously a top 4 running back:  If he couldn't catch a pass, he's still an Adrian Peterson-like stud.

But he kicked that woman in that hotel so he's worthless 2 years later---oh seriously you people...

Okbye

Try to Stop 2020 Browns Running Game. Browns LBs Worst in NFL? Stuporstition, Sadism, and the Browns

Note to Terry Pluto fans asking dumb questions:

The West Coast offense is a passing offense with careful timing and crossing routes.

The Shanahan offense uses West Coast principles for passes, but what separates it from other schemes is the run-blocking.  There is no conflict in here anywhere.  Everything fits just fine.

The West Coast was an offshoot of Don Coryall's Chargers offense (Norv Turner runs something like that today).  The run-blocking could done any way you wanted, and indeed I'm not even sure zone-blocking existed back then.

According to Pro Football Outsiders, Vince Lombardi was the first guy to draw up and use zone-blocking, but it was a solution to stunts and stacks; a situational remedy to defensive tactics.

Alex Gibbs took it farther, but it was Mike Shanahan who went "all-in" with zone-blocking when he took over the Denver Broncos (and quickly won 2 Superbowls).

John Elway's backup, Gary Kubiak, took this system with him into coaching, and after a Superbowl of his own, he got to influence Kevin Stefanski, who had previously been "raised" by West Coast Brad Childress.

Kubiak and Stefanski have made some tweaks here and there, of course, but it looks like the 2/3 Tight End tweak is Stefanski's own (based on this offseason--Hooper and Bryant, with Njoku's 5th year option picked up).

Combined with a newly-acquired Fullback, it's clear that Hue Jackson and Freddie Kitchens have left the building.

I know you're used to hearing coaches talk about running the ball, and then passing 60% of the time anyway, but that's over.

Stefanski's Vikings and Shanahan's 49ers were the 2nd and 4th-ranked running teams in the NFL, and in addition to 2 more Tight Ends and 2 Fullbacks, the Browns have also added Wills and Conklin.

Nick Chubb barely got edged out for the rushing title in 2019, and Kareem Hunt WON it in his rookie season--and they're both big, strong, durable runners (*Hunt kicked ass as a lead-blocker by the way*)

Certainly, a dominating run game sets up great deep-strike opportunities off play-action, but that's not how Stefanski sees it (in my opinion):

Hue or Freddie see it like that:  You run until they have to come up to stop you, then you throw it over their heads.

That's not what the 49ers did!  THEY ran the ball 3, 5, 7 or more times in a ROW.  THEY kept running after there was an 8-man box, and things looked ripe for a deep strike.

Why?  Well for one thing, why not?  If the defense can't stop you, why stop running?

There are 3 reasons:

1: To sell tickets and make receivers and Quarterbacks happy.

2: Because well...that's just how it's done!

3: Because you feel sorry for the defense you are humiliating and pounding into pudding, and want to put it out of it's misery.

There are concerns about the 2020 defense (mainly the linebackers).  Then there's this Democrat Virus bullshit, and all the new players and the new systems.

Listen to the real experts, and even a lot of them expect the 2020 Browns to finish 3rd in the AFC North.

Well -SNAP-SNAP- this is IMPORTANT:

The ONLY sure way to beat another team is to overpower it's defense on the ground.  It doesn't matter what the pundits said or the point spread is.  Their awesome cornerbacks, safeties, passrushers are irrelevant.  

YOUR offense will run more plays.  They will be aggressive and physical plays and will weaken the other defense play by play and quarter by quarter as your big guys hit and bully their guys over and over and over again.

They know they're screwed.  They're trying to claw the ball loose, but otherwise...

The other team might have a scary offense of it's own, so they might be able to rack up some points.  But they can only score once per-possession.  Unless you turn the ball over or punt, they can't extract themselves from your meatgrinder.

If you want to see what this looks like, check out the Ravens and 49ers from last year (the Vikings are a lesser example--they weren't as physical).

Anyway, the 2020 Browns will be able to run on anybody, including the Ravens and Steelers, and I don't think Kevin Stefanski will be as eager to put the ball in the air at the first hint of a stacked box as Hue and Freddie were.

"Nah---let's keep laying the wood to 'em awhile longer.  They're not committed enough yet.  And let's give our defense a nice long break!"

I repeat: This Browns' offense can run on anybody, ergo has a puncher's chance to BEAT anybody, as long as they remain committed to the run, and don't outsmart themselves.

This foundation -snap-snap- is idiot-proof.  Zone-blocking is simple, and the runnining backs are instinctive.  As long as everybody has the snap-count right, it's very hard to screw it up.

Naturally, they'll have to throw passes eventually on 3rd and longs or inside the enemy 30, but that foundation is the most solid one an offense can have.

This offense won't "start slow", because it will be running the ball immediately.  It can work the passes in by choice more often than neccessity, and gradually expand the passing offense around that all but unstoppable foundation.

The defense might have more issues early-on, but I've heard Joe Woods talking about his players "playing fast".

Most of you already know that this means that Joe isn't planning to reinvent the wheel here.

Part of it is a 4-man (base) Defensive Line with specialized and definite jobs to do (rather than DE/OLB hybrids).  Man coverage outside (and I suspect off-man over the slot)---and the linebackers focused on the run;

It looks like 2-deep or single-high with the safeties...

Oh yeah a correction: "Dime" defense means 6 defensive backs, ok?  Woods mentioned a "third safety" in his dime, but that's his dime (or the one he was talking about).

A dime can have 4 corners and 2 safeties or 3/3.  Woods specified a third safety because this defender would have to stop the run as well as the pass; Joe is really almost certainly talking about a safetybacker.

Nor does this mandate a 4-1 front.  It could be a 3-2.  Mary Kay et al miss a lot of what Joe says, and make stuff up that he didn't say.

At any rate, a simpler defensive system favors superior athletes with great instincts OR who are aggressive and have green lights to attack.

Jacob Phillips is one such guy. Thanks to Dan Gilinski, I now know that Phillips rarely misses a tackle (Best tackler in College last year---led the SEC in tackles).

The scouting knocks I've heard on Phillips indicate that he takes bad angles or "guesses wrong" sometimes, and lacks the agility to cover in man, but I gotta say: I assume that Andrew Berry was right and they were wrong: Jacob Phillips will be at least a good NFL linebacker (immediately).

These analytics guys do a great job of breaking the Browns down in limited space, and they suspect that the Browns linebackers won't hold the edge, and that the Browns' D will get gashed on the run yet again in 2020.

This does make me nervous, except I don't think that the linebackers will be expected to hold the edge on outside runs.  I rather think they'll try to sneak between the big uglies and blow outside runs up in the backfield.

The Defensive ENDS in a 3-4 usually set the edge, except sometimes when---well without getting in the weeds I see where the current linebackers are vulnerable outside:

Takitaki haD a tendancy to overpursue (BUT can anchor and shed once he is more EXPERIENCED DO YOU UNDERSTAND?)

Phillips is tall but only a little over 230 lbs.  He can clearly shed blocks, but probably gets trampled if he tries to be a speed-bump.

Wilson can probably set the edge, come to think of it.  He's over 240 lbs and Hans and Franz have had a year with him.

But I'm from Cleveland too, and when smart people say opposing defenses are gonna gash us on outside runs again, I never say they're wrong any more.

Rome wasn't built in a day, and these outside and cutback runs are the main concern for the 2020 crew.

Vernon and Garrett are both outstanding vs the run, and their cumulative absence last season hurt the run defense a LOT.  The Browns played Larry Ogunjobi (305 lbs) at Nose Tackle (Richardson is even smaller), but now Billings (327 lbs) is here, and Jordan Elliott (Ogunjobi-sized) was productive at nose in college.

Jacob Phillips was picked over a bunch of higher-profile linebackers (including his team mate) because he was a tackling-machine RUN-STUFFER.

Some pieces were already here courtesy of John Dorsey: Converted DE Seoni Takitaki was a run-stuffer as well as a passrusher.  Mack Wilson isn't as instinctive as you'd like, but can stack, shed, and pursue.

Karl Joseph is good vs the run, and so is Grant Delpit on 2 good legs (I think Sendejo is ok-not sure).

While opposing offenses could still gash the 2020 Browns on the ground, there are a lot of reasons to expect nothing anywhere as bad as 2019.

Meanwhile, the pass defense has been massively upgraded!  A miraculoously healthy and undiminished Olivier Vernon plus Garrett plus Elliott plus Clayborn for pressure, but then

Ward entering year 3, Williams year 2, Sendejo, Joseph, Johnson, and Delpit!?!

I keep getting more optimistic the deeper I dig here:

We have an offense that can run the ball on anybody as the greatest strength, and a defense which could be vulnerable on the ground as the biggest weakness.  

2nd greatest strength is Baker Mayfield and a spine-chilling array of targets (including Hunt by the way).  2nd greatest weakness...well...Vernon is fragile and DE depth sucks...that's all I got.

3rd greatest strength is a top 5 secondary. 3rd greatest weakness must be the linebackers(?)  

More than one person has called Phillips, Takitaki, Wilson, Takitaki etc THE worst set of linebackers in the NFL.

First, that's easy: You check out which rounds they were drafted in.  Now you have a bead on their consensus talent level which, for these guys, averages out to the 4rth round.

Next, you check their PFF grades and NFL stats.

Next...well you're done.  E voila! The 2020 Brpwns have rhe worst linebackers in the NFL!

 While I would personally be pleasantly surprised to find the Browns linebackers ranked above average, these emotional spasms are assenine:

Jacob Phillips has an OUTSTANDING stat-line; awesome production at the highest level of college football AND is almost 6'3" AND faster than some safeties and before HE takes an NFL snap he's part of the worst 2 or 3 linebackers in the NFL?

Seoni Takitaki got few snaps as a rookie, but PFF graded him at 64--or average or slightly above.  As a R O O K I E DO YOU U N D E R S T A N D?

Mack Wilson sucked.for most of his R O O K I E season, but started getting it together over his last 4 games.  Everybody is just ignoring that measurable and irrefutable "growth spurt" and using raw PFF numbers to label Wilson a bust after his FIRST SEASON!

Mack Wilson's FLOOR in 2020 is Christian Kirksey's cieling.

I get it.  For a couple decades now, the Browns have been the Keystone Kops.  With each new GM or Coach, we expected something different, but it...just kept happening!

While I personally kept calling these annual doomsayers stuporstitious, I half believed in some sort of curse myself!  How many brilliant coaches and GMs have to sink in this quicksand before you admit that the permabashers are right?

While these last couple decades have been extremely wierd, I have this obsessive fixation with reality, rationality, and science, so I want to tell you:

Whoever declared the 2020 Browns linebackers the worst in the NFL needs a brain transplant (no offense).

While I'm personally incapable of experiencing it, I do intellectually understand how most of you people want to be "popular", so you participate in mass beat-downs or lynchings or whatever, so I get why you had to say the Browns had the worst linebackers in the NFL.

Nice job making Drew Brees apologize for...uhh...