Randy Gurzi lists 3 players whose stock rose during the offseason (with Rashard Higgins and KhaDarel Hodge getting honorable mention.
As you guys know, I like both these guys, but was surprised by Hodge in 2019. They're both big strong guys with reps as possession receivers, but both have been making big plays.
I've heard that Hodge is an especially good blocker, and we know that he's a key Special Teamer.
They both fit the timing system very well; they block and win contested catches. With Donovan Peoples-Jones still learning the ropes, WR is deep.
Hope they can get something for Ratley (he's a good player with tons of upside).
Randy says that BJ Goodson (the veteran "run-stuffer" has actually excelled in coverage (by the way so has Takitaki).
This is fantastic news, as it now looks like Goodson is going to be the starting Mike and Takitaki looks like he'll be on the field as often.
Rodney Phillipsfield has plenty of time to learn. Malcolm Smith is a depth "mentor" type guy, then there's Tae Davis and UFA Solomon Ajayi. One or 2 of these guys won't make it, and the Browns look solid at Linebacker.
Ourlads lists Takitaki as the starting Mike ahead of Goodon, Phillips as the starting Sam, and Tae Davis as the starting Wil....I don't get it.
I've already written about the apparent 4th Defensive End, Porter Gustin, who indeed blew Jedrick Wills' doors off for 2 sacks in the scrimmage.
With his history, you can't help worrying about his durability, but as Randy points out, he has always been awesome when healthy, and Defensive End is well and truly covered (good luck to Chad Thomas, who is a great guy).
Then there's Harrison Bryant. No need to go over that again. Just way "wow".
Nathan Zagura lists his standouts on both sides of the ball, starting with Tight Ends Austin Hooper and Bryant.
But Nate also names RD D'Earnest Johnson, who has done nothing but kick ass at both RB and as a returner since he got here in 2019.
He's similar to Dontrell Hilliard (including as a receiver), but IMO seems to just be a little better. I suspect he will make the team, while Hilliard won't.
With Kareem Hunt a likely loss after 2020, Johnson has a bright future here.
Nathan actually ranted a bit about Sione Takitaki, who busted his butt in the offseason and is night-and-day better in coverage in year 2.
Redundancy alert: Takitaki is a converted DE, so he can not only run around, but will take on Offensive Linemen (and of course rush the passer).
Like Goodson and Phillips, Takitaki should make a difference vs the run in 2020.
DT Jordan Elliott, per Zagura, has looked awesome filling in for Larry Ogunjobi.
Nathan mentions Elliott's "penetration skills" vs the run, offering a clue that Joe Woods has some Bud Carson in him, as I have posited myself (ie niether DT invites double-teams on neutral downs).
Elliott is 6'4", 302 lbs (not a Nose Tackle), but Nathan describes him jacking up the Right Guard and walking him back to sack Mayfield; he's freakishly strong, as well as quick.
You guys know I loved this guy when they drafted him 88th overall in the third round, and told you he'd be challenging Ogunjobi immediately.
And he is (blush-blush).
Finally Nathan names Cornerback Donovan Olumba, who I posted about earlier.
Back to the defensive scheme:
The main reasons for a big Nose Tackle are to tie up two Offensive Linemen (keep them off the Linebackers) and to force the ballcarrier to run around him and the two big uglies he's tied up with.
Eli Ankou (a true Nose Tackle) might well be the 4th DT now, but I'd expect him to play in short yardage situations (often in a 4-3).
On most neutral downs, the 3 "Nascar" DTs seek penetration, leaving the Linebackers on their own.
This explains why BJ Goodson was signed, and Phillips was drafted instead of one of those run-and-hit guys; Takitaki and they can deal with huge lumbering bulldozers in space (Phillips is skinny but has the length and feet to keep them off his body, ok? Sione uses leverage to jack them up and shed them, and I assume this is how Goodson operates too).
Inside penetration screws up the run as well as the pass. It's also the best way to screw up both inside and outside zone-blocking but I digress:
Naturally in any scheme offenses try to cope with inside penetration in various ways, and the Offensive Linemen just try to get a piece of the penetrator and go on to hit whoever they can hit (linebackers and smaller people, since if the Defensive Linemen don't make the stop, it could turn into a home run.
...ok-ok well the Defensive Ends are different...crap too deep nevermind anyway:
The Browns Defense has had the upper hand over the Offense more often than not because the front 4 are penetrating and screwing things up.
I've seen this in some of the tapes. Chubb takes the handoff and is instantly surrounded. And of course Mayfield and Keenum haven't had time to throw.
All is not lost, as Shanahan, Kubiak, and Stefanski were all very successful with this blocking scheme, and all those opposing defenses no doubt tried all this stuff on them too.
Wills is struggling, Teller is at Right Guard (not a good scheme fit), and Nick Harris is a rookie too.
But there's more to this:
This Defensive Line is really talented, ok? They'll screw up opposing offenses too, mark my words.
Myles Garrett has missed a lot of time, Ogunjobi has been out, and I doubt they're using Clayborn much.
Sheldon Richardson has been at DE as often as at DT (but then he's been taking Wills' lunch money himself...poor kid...)
And now here comes Jordan Elliott, channeling Aaron Donald!
Why are you laughing? He had the highest PFF passrush grades for any DT in the 2019 and 2020 draft classes. What's funny about comparing him to Donald?
And here comes Gustin Porter, channeling Garrett!!!
Poor Jedrick...
So no matter what, Comrade Mayfield, Chubb, or whoever has been splitting the backfield rent with the Defensive Line!
I do need to repeat some asterisks here:
1: I think the Offense has been focussing on the 3rd and long passing game, because that's the most complex part of this.
2: They might also be doing some man-blocking for the sake of the defense (as I've said, zone blocking is simple, and repetition doesn't help much.)
1a: The toughest part of Jedrick Wills' job is doing true pass-sets, Jack Conklin needs work on those himself, and Nick Harris's biggest weaknesses are man-blocking and pass-blocking for a pocket-passer.
I suspect that Comrade Stefanski is just maxing out the limited practice reps he has to work with here, and focusing on the most difficult stuff now, before it counts.
The Ravens loom. Forget JC Tretter. Nick Harris will be at Center. It's Wills or bust at Left Tackle.
The Browns might open up with Hunt/Chubb (Hooper at TE). The Ravens' D practices against 2 TE's a lot.
I don't think they'll get cute. They'll be physical, and run (with RPOs of course), but generally get in their faces and punish them.
I know that's a tall order, but it's their best chance.
The Ravens' Defense is built to stop the pass first, because their Offense is so lethal. They just added Jacob Phillips' LSU teammate, Patrick Queen (a Safetybacker).
They'll expect the 21 set, of course, and all it's ramifications, and I frankly know only that they won't use their dedicated nickel back...
I keep staring at this depth chart, trying to figure out...damn...
Anyway, I would go right to the RPO stuff, but keep Hunt in the backfield, and (unless Mayfield spots something) have him lead-block for Chubb, and punch them right in the face, see?
I can't predict how that would go, but I can tell you that they are paranoid about Hunt sneaking out the back door for a pass---or a pass--and 1 or 2 guys might be out of position, and Patrick Queen might be surprised to wake up in the second half and be told "That was Kareem Hunt" (tee-hee).
No I'm just sayin, the Offense has to be physical, because if you get "cute" with this top 4 Defense you're gonna die. They'll sack you and intercept you and beat the snot out of you. You have to punch them in the face.
Don't try to outsmart them. Just buckle up and try to overpower them. "You go or I go."
The zone scheme gives this Browns team a decent chance of doing that to this defense.
Defensively, there's a decent chance there too. This front 4 rotation can get into the Ravens' backfield and disrupt them without taking people out of coverage. They're custom-built to disrupt zone-blocking (as mentioned earlier).
The Ravens use 2 (or 3) Tight Ends a lot, so Joe Woods would use 3 Linbackers a lot too--however, recall what Gurzi and Zagura said about Takitaki and Goodson in coverage (and defeating blocks).
Lamar Jackson was still kinda shaky hitting receivers on the perimeter in 2019. While we can expect him to be better in 2020, the Browns are deep as hell at Cornerback, and can afford a center fielder.
Yeah ok he can still hurt you bad with his legs, but Joseph is here for a reason, and oknevermind just rambling anyway:
I bet the Browns will upset the Ravens. I just want 8:1 odds.
Okbye
No comments:
Post a Comment