It's always easy to take shots, and it's a target-rich environment. That sucked. Okay I'm done.
It's also easy to pretend you're Vince Lombardi or a marine ranger or something and yammer about second place being last place and crap like that. For a Ranger that's fine: Second place is dead. For the rest of you, grow up. This team is being rebuilt and instant gratification is not to be had.
Now for the positive stuff:
1: Massequoi. No preseason and voila. There he is. Like I said. I'm still hearing he can't be a number one. If you define number one as one of the five best wide recievers in the NFL, ok. If not, think aga...think for the first time.
2: Pinkston. He'll be okay.
3: The linebackerS aren't slow. Aside from that Samoan semi-safety guy, the outside backers are slow for a 4-3, but Jackson isn't. Further, Jackson is one of the better coverage linebackers in the NFL. Also, if a tight end can't get into his pattern, he can't catch a pass, and Fujita can press. Also, linebackers cover tight ends and running backs, not wide recievers. Also, linebackers are replaced in nickel and dime defenses. You guys go duck-hunting with hand-grenades, don't you?
4: Evan Moore. Wow.
5: Andy Dalton was shockingly good under pressure. Give the man credit.
6: The pony offense (two halfbacks) wasn't a gimmick and will be used more, expecially against the light-in-the-loafers Colts. Turn Dwight Freeny into a pancake and he can't rush the passer. the pony also provides two potential pass-blockers.
6a: Vs. the Colts you should see some two-back, two-tight end offenses with only one wide reciever. They can get as cute and clever, and be as fast and athletic as they want. This team can run or pass out of that formation, and they can beat the Colts down with it.
7: McCoy is still almost a rookie. The complex offensive system is still new. There are bound to be hiccups and outright breakdowns like those last sunday. If you're an adult, you expect them, but expect the operation to smooth out over time/with reps.
8: Jackson. I told you so. I loved the delayed blitzes, too. Those big monsters in front of him really help that work, but he also gets to full speed in about two steps.
9: Benard. I told you so. Sheard is a rookie, and may become a stud, but isn't yet, and Benard will probably take reps from him. Benard can get to the QB.
10: The Green touchdown debacle can be called a fluke. Do you expect it to happen again? Overall, the defense wasn't bad. They did seem to get gassed at the end. One guy wrote about it being an issue. Not really. It's an issue for every NFL defense that didn't get an offseason or train strenuously per old contract rules. Another guy that goes fishing with dynamite.
They were solid against the run for most of the game, and they got to the QB a lot.
11: Field position was a critical factor. I feel bad for the punter who had the bad back and might have lost his shot because of it, but it is what it is and won't be next week.
12: They overcame their early putridosity and came back. Of they hadn't then turned right back into the Keystone cops, that would have been great. As it was, though, it was a very good sign.
13: Rich Gannon and others are picking the Browns over Indi. Gannon says the Colts defense is in trouble if it has to defend the run for sixty minutes. He didn't say this: Kerry Collins is a sitting duck.
I am starting to give up on Robiski. He's in his third season now, and has the brains to run the correct routes. One commentator said he needs to "play up to his potential". Well, he might not have sufficient potential. Effort was never an issue. I got my fingers crossed, but am doubtful--and I don't care where he played in college, or how much I like him.
Pashos might be done. His whole body seems to be breaking down. They'll have to make do, but they do have solid vets who don't normally get embarrassed like they were vs. Cinci.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Insufficient Dumbassitude
I can't find much dumb analysis to correct out there. It's like Shurmer put an IQ-booster in the water supply when he got here. But then, I've avoided the comments sections and forums.
Yeah this one guy chased me out. He somehow has a half-dozen identities and appears to be a full-time dark cloud. Every quarterback we've had before and since Anderson is "noodle-armed", Shurmer is a brainless Homgren-puppet, and of course we're all gonna die. I'm sick of the same old same old dominating these sites, and I wish they'd get rid of Mister Blabbermouth Bummer.
Honest critiques, whether misguided or not, are fine with me. But not d-heads whose mission it is to bash bash bash all day and all night...and yes, who are idiots.
Unfortunately, the paid analysts are for once doing a pretty good job, which is making it hard for me to be different.
But I'll try: Most recent intel casts a shadow on Carlton Mitchell. The reads and routes are one thing. That's his lack of experience. But drops? Okay--that's not good at this point. That is something which, by this time, he should have resolved. What I've heard about his performance at the Camp Colts is troubling.
But they retained him, didn't they? It's possible that my second-hand intelligence is flawed. I sure hope so. I mean, with Heckert--so far so good, ya know?
Ah! Armond Smith: He's sort of being treated as an afterthought who only made the roster because Brandon Jackson went on IR. W-W-WRONG!
I have major problems finding anything about about this guy, but I can, at least, listen to the brass.
Smith's one and only issue in an otherwise stunning preseason was fumbling. Shurmer said: "He didn't do it in college". Everybody else seems not to have heard that. The guy didn't fumble in college. He's a big-play tailback who can catch the ball. If his fumbleitis was nothing more than a hiccup, which his last performance offers some evdidence of, Mister Jackson might never get his job back.
Yeah he's only about 194, and might eventually top out at a little over 200 lbs. We're not talking about a workhorse here; that's not what he's here for. He's much more dangerous than Jackson, who is more of an Earnest Byner type. Smith is a Gregg Pruitt type. See the difference?
Another analyst discussed Josh Cribbs as a wide reciever. Said he was listed at number two behind Maasequoi, meaning that he's not expected to be a feature guy. Well, duh. he never was.
But the author made it sound as if he would never be a good wide reciever, period.
Listen: he made a couple big plays against Green Bays' starting defense, tweaked his hammy and was used sparingly since. Out-of-sight, out-of-mind with these guys!
Cribbs won't be the feature guy in this offense, but has already proven himself an extremely reliable guy who has obviously worked hard on developing a pair of the best hands I've ever seen in any reciever.
While he doesn't get a lot of separation, on short and intermediate patterns he doesn't really need to with this quarterback. He might get nailed before he can make anything happen 3 times out of four, but the first time somebody blows a coverage or fails to wrap him up, anything could happen. Meanwhile, McCoy will take eight yards here, thirteen yard there all day long.
This article was influenced by the author's perception of Massequoi as just a guy. He's more than that-he has elite potential in this offense.
Artie Hicks is a solid player, but one analyst pencilled him in as the starter at left guard based on rookie left tackle convert Jason Pinkston's putrid performance so far. Not so fast. Pinkston has the athleticism for it, but so far has been outsmarted by more experienced opponents. But he'll
I M P R O V E! He's flanked by Pro Bowlers and they can help him (on passing downs) schematicly with roll-outs.
It depends on how fast he progresses. He might indeed be replaced by Greco or Hicks, but that's not the long-term plan. Hicks was brought here more because he has started extensively at nearly every offensive line position. At his age, he won't start unless he has to, and may well not WANT to start any more.
They're trying to build a team to last, and wherever possible youth will prevail. Pinkston will be given every chance.
Quinton Spears came from...I don't know somebody that might play Cleveland State. But he has massive, massive potential. I believe he'll be tried at linebacker and passing down rush DE at first. He's only 234 lbs right now, but as soon as training camp 2012, he could easily report at over 250.
Those who are oblivious to this rather obvious probablity are calling him a linebacker already. It's possible that he can indeed become one, but more likely that he'll wind up at DE, or possibly a hybrid fill-in type guy.
One thing he can do (and did in Miami--at least in preseason) is rush the passer. He has uncommon speed; is faster than Benard and Sheard. He's also strong for his weight.
No doubt, he'll need a lot of work on hand-fighting etc., and could be a longer-term project who rarely sees the field except on special teams this season. But I love to check these guys out early, which is why Terry Pluto and I are among the rare people from Cleveland who aren't Memorex Morons.
You know what I mean. Around game three year after year, it looks to everybody else like night of the living dead. A bunch of young guys start clawing their way out of their premature graves and making plays. Everybody else is saying "wow I thod we needdedd debth dare! Who wooda thungg idd?"
The Browns only REAL offensive issues are right tackle depth and the issue at left guard.
There are more issues on defense, but there are four good starting defensive linemen, a starting middle linebacker, two good corners, etc...
Oh yeah! Adams is a GOOD free safety! The only reason he wasn't a starter last season was they ran cover two and had two bigger free/strong hybrids side-by-side rather than a true strong and a true free safety. Adams didn't fit that scheme. He does fit this one at free safety.
Not that Young won't wind up being better. Just quit trying to bury my man along with all the others. He's easily a top-25 free safety, even in his geezerhood. Watch and see.
YOU STAND CORRECTED.
Yeah this one guy chased me out. He somehow has a half-dozen identities and appears to be a full-time dark cloud. Every quarterback we've had before and since Anderson is "noodle-armed", Shurmer is a brainless Homgren-puppet, and of course we're all gonna die. I'm sick of the same old same old dominating these sites, and I wish they'd get rid of Mister Blabbermouth Bummer.
Honest critiques, whether misguided or not, are fine with me. But not d-heads whose mission it is to bash bash bash all day and all night...and yes, who are idiots.
Unfortunately, the paid analysts are for once doing a pretty good job, which is making it hard for me to be different.
But I'll try: Most recent intel casts a shadow on Carlton Mitchell. The reads and routes are one thing. That's his lack of experience. But drops? Okay--that's not good at this point. That is something which, by this time, he should have resolved. What I've heard about his performance at the Camp Colts is troubling.
But they retained him, didn't they? It's possible that my second-hand intelligence is flawed. I sure hope so. I mean, with Heckert--so far so good, ya know?
Ah! Armond Smith: He's sort of being treated as an afterthought who only made the roster because Brandon Jackson went on IR. W-W-WRONG!
I have major problems finding anything about about this guy, but I can, at least, listen to the brass.
Smith's one and only issue in an otherwise stunning preseason was fumbling. Shurmer said: "He didn't do it in college". Everybody else seems not to have heard that. The guy didn't fumble in college. He's a big-play tailback who can catch the ball. If his fumbleitis was nothing more than a hiccup, which his last performance offers some evdidence of, Mister Jackson might never get his job back.
Yeah he's only about 194, and might eventually top out at a little over 200 lbs. We're not talking about a workhorse here; that's not what he's here for. He's much more dangerous than Jackson, who is more of an Earnest Byner type. Smith is a Gregg Pruitt type. See the difference?
Another analyst discussed Josh Cribbs as a wide reciever. Said he was listed at number two behind Maasequoi, meaning that he's not expected to be a feature guy. Well, duh. he never was.
But the author made it sound as if he would never be a good wide reciever, period.
Listen: he made a couple big plays against Green Bays' starting defense, tweaked his hammy and was used sparingly since. Out-of-sight, out-of-mind with these guys!
Cribbs won't be the feature guy in this offense, but has already proven himself an extremely reliable guy who has obviously worked hard on developing a pair of the best hands I've ever seen in any reciever.
While he doesn't get a lot of separation, on short and intermediate patterns he doesn't really need to with this quarterback. He might get nailed before he can make anything happen 3 times out of four, but the first time somebody blows a coverage or fails to wrap him up, anything could happen. Meanwhile, McCoy will take eight yards here, thirteen yard there all day long.
This article was influenced by the author's perception of Massequoi as just a guy. He's more than that-he has elite potential in this offense.
Artie Hicks is a solid player, but one analyst pencilled him in as the starter at left guard based on rookie left tackle convert Jason Pinkston's putrid performance so far. Not so fast. Pinkston has the athleticism for it, but so far has been outsmarted by more experienced opponents. But he'll
I M P R O V E! He's flanked by Pro Bowlers and they can help him (on passing downs) schematicly with roll-outs.
It depends on how fast he progresses. He might indeed be replaced by Greco or Hicks, but that's not the long-term plan. Hicks was brought here more because he has started extensively at nearly every offensive line position. At his age, he won't start unless he has to, and may well not WANT to start any more.
They're trying to build a team to last, and wherever possible youth will prevail. Pinkston will be given every chance.
Quinton Spears came from...I don't know somebody that might play Cleveland State. But he has massive, massive potential. I believe he'll be tried at linebacker and passing down rush DE at first. He's only 234 lbs right now, but as soon as training camp 2012, he could easily report at over 250.
Those who are oblivious to this rather obvious probablity are calling him a linebacker already. It's possible that he can indeed become one, but more likely that he'll wind up at DE, or possibly a hybrid fill-in type guy.
One thing he can do (and did in Miami--at least in preseason) is rush the passer. He has uncommon speed; is faster than Benard and Sheard. He's also strong for his weight.
No doubt, he'll need a lot of work on hand-fighting etc., and could be a longer-term project who rarely sees the field except on special teams this season. But I love to check these guys out early, which is why Terry Pluto and I are among the rare people from Cleveland who aren't Memorex Morons.
You know what I mean. Around game three year after year, it looks to everybody else like night of the living dead. A bunch of young guys start clawing their way out of their premature graves and making plays. Everybody else is saying "wow I thod we needdedd debth dare! Who wooda thungg idd?"
The Browns only REAL offensive issues are right tackle depth and the issue at left guard.
There are more issues on defense, but there are four good starting defensive linemen, a starting middle linebacker, two good corners, etc...
Oh yeah! Adams is a GOOD free safety! The only reason he wasn't a starter last season was they ran cover two and had two bigger free/strong hybrids side-by-side rather than a true strong and a true free safety. Adams didn't fit that scheme. He does fit this one at free safety.
Not that Young won't wind up being better. Just quit trying to bury my man along with all the others. He's easily a top-25 free safety, even in his geezerhood. Watch and see.
YOU STAND CORRECTED.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Rodney Cribbsfield
The guys on NFL Radio keep referring to Devon Hester as the best returner of all time, while Josh Cribbs holds all the records. Trouble is, Josh plays for Cleveland. The big market shuts down the pundits' brains.
Did you know that there is a "one of a kind" running back? "Defensive backs don't know how to stop him. They just launch themselves at his legs. There's no other running back in the NFL who's that big and that fast, with all he can do. Brandon Jacobs..."
Hillis got the cover of Madden, but that was just too freaking obvious, wasn't it? And everybody voted. They overrode the pundits who predicted it would be Micheal Vick. Nobody asked John Madden. Who do you think HE liked?
At least McCoy is getting rave reviews--especially by Jim Miller, Rich Gannon, and John Gruden.
Phil Simms said he didn't have an NFL arm, but he loved Tavarez Jackson. By Phil's standards, the majority of NFL quarterbacks don't have NFL arms. I bet he REALLY hates Kyle Orton! I used to think Phil was the real expert. I still love the way he's blunt and pulls no punches. But all he talks about is throwing hard, spinning it, and being a leader.
He does like McCoy's personality. He concedes that in a West Coast he might be allright. You can tell he's bored. He's not Tavarez Jackson or Derrick Anderson, and Phil is bored by guys who can't sling it like they can.
I can't leave it alone--I'm sorry. I rarely hear Phil talk about quick reads or accuracy. It's as if they don't matter. Phil is a smart guy, and certainly was a great (and underrated) quarterback. But this is another example of how smart, knowlegable people can be myopic and mentally lazy.
Everybody loves Evan Moore, too. Pat Kirwin, for instance, points out that you can't bring the safety up when you've got him or Watson ready to get behind them. Then he repeats that the Browns need a big-play wide recievers so that defenses can't stack the box. Amazing.
They love Jackson too. finally somebody wrote an article about how perfect he is for this defense. (I mean, somebody besides me.)
I want to talk about Massequoi but I've done that to death. Take out his stats, check out his offenses and quarterbacks, and turn on your freaking brain. You'll only read what I told you elsewhere after the fact.
Great move to lock up Joe Thomas forever. Instead of overpaying MoMass's replacement.
Jayme Mitchell has done pretty well so far. Sheard looks great FOR A ROOKIE. Taylor hasn't made a lot of plays, but IS helping keep big monsters off Jackson. I can't wait til these two learn all the dirty tricks.
Luavao stifled the second dirtiest player in the NFL (Suh) last week. He is the main reason I got so infuriated about people talking about the right SIDE of the offensive line, when they had right guard covered two or three-deep. Clevelanders never saw a molehill. Never noticed the baby in the bathwater either. Also: We're all gonna die.
The heat on McCoy came mainly over left guard (and Corey Williams). I can't wait to read that we need a whole new offensive line.
The defense in general, despite missing several starters, has looked remarkably good under the circumstances. For the secondary, it's similar, but the front seven is completely different, and I'd expected a lot more mistakes.
Jauron (along with Brown and Fujita) deserves much of the credit. They've gone from an insideously diabolical Ryan defense to something like a plug-and-play style. While there will be some wrinkles, the base defense is simple, so that the players can just react and play thoughtlessly fast.
I still prefer the 3-4 and all that versatility, but there's much to be said for fundamentals.
One thing about this defense is that it requires the majority of players to win individual battles. It will need to be very muscular (except for the defensive ends).
Speaking of which, I hope to see Benard back up to speed soon. I'd thought that he'd muscled up, but apparantly (maybe also) got fatter (on purpose). Blame the strike and non-communication with coaches. I'll bet he plays best at around 260.
Why was anybody surprised that Sheard showed up at around his college playing weight of 268? Oh yeah: Because for the combine he slimmed down because he might have been a 3-4 OLB. Lazy lazy lazy. A brain is a terrible thing to waste.
Joe Haden got toasted twice last week. Can't you people be consistant? You're supposed to be saying he sucks! I mean, Wright was here and steadily improving for two seasons, to the extent that after his second, many of you were saying that he should have made the Pro Bowl.
Then the Ravens strafe him, and suddenly he sucks. Why did you drag Wright off the pedestal and to the hanging tree in one afternoon, and yet overlook Haden's bad day? You can't possibly have matured that much in one offseason! You must just like him because he goes to Cavs games.
It's ok with me. Every cornerback in the NFL has had gameS like that, and I think Haden is da bomb. Just wondering why you don't think with your brains.
Brown's performance is somewhat more disturbing, due to his age. He got toasted too, both weeks. Last season, he was not just good, but excellent. I hope it's just rust, but I'm like Belichick about age. One year...probably just rust. He should be fine. I hope. At least whenever he isn't anymore, he'll be a top-notch free safety. I'd even extend him for a couple years because of that.
well okbye.
Did you know that there is a "one of a kind" running back? "Defensive backs don't know how to stop him. They just launch themselves at his legs. There's no other running back in the NFL who's that big and that fast, with all he can do. Brandon Jacobs..."
Hillis got the cover of Madden, but that was just too freaking obvious, wasn't it? And everybody voted. They overrode the pundits who predicted it would be Micheal Vick. Nobody asked John Madden. Who do you think HE liked?
At least McCoy is getting rave reviews--especially by Jim Miller, Rich Gannon, and John Gruden.
Phil Simms said he didn't have an NFL arm, but he loved Tavarez Jackson. By Phil's standards, the majority of NFL quarterbacks don't have NFL arms. I bet he REALLY hates Kyle Orton! I used to think Phil was the real expert. I still love the way he's blunt and pulls no punches. But all he talks about is throwing hard, spinning it, and being a leader.
He does like McCoy's personality. He concedes that in a West Coast he might be allright. You can tell he's bored. He's not Tavarez Jackson or Derrick Anderson, and Phil is bored by guys who can't sling it like they can.
I can't leave it alone--I'm sorry. I rarely hear Phil talk about quick reads or accuracy. It's as if they don't matter. Phil is a smart guy, and certainly was a great (and underrated) quarterback. But this is another example of how smart, knowlegable people can be myopic and mentally lazy.
Everybody loves Evan Moore, too. Pat Kirwin, for instance, points out that you can't bring the safety up when you've got him or Watson ready to get behind them. Then he repeats that the Browns need a big-play wide recievers so that defenses can't stack the box. Amazing.
They love Jackson too. finally somebody wrote an article about how perfect he is for this defense. (I mean, somebody besides me.)
I want to talk about Massequoi but I've done that to death. Take out his stats, check out his offenses and quarterbacks, and turn on your freaking brain. You'll only read what I told you elsewhere after the fact.
Great move to lock up Joe Thomas forever. Instead of overpaying MoMass's replacement.
Jayme Mitchell has done pretty well so far. Sheard looks great FOR A ROOKIE. Taylor hasn't made a lot of plays, but IS helping keep big monsters off Jackson. I can't wait til these two learn all the dirty tricks.
Luavao stifled the second dirtiest player in the NFL (Suh) last week. He is the main reason I got so infuriated about people talking about the right SIDE of the offensive line, when they had right guard covered two or three-deep. Clevelanders never saw a molehill. Never noticed the baby in the bathwater either. Also: We're all gonna die.
The heat on McCoy came mainly over left guard (and Corey Williams). I can't wait to read that we need a whole new offensive line.
The defense in general, despite missing several starters, has looked remarkably good under the circumstances. For the secondary, it's similar, but the front seven is completely different, and I'd expected a lot more mistakes.
Jauron (along with Brown and Fujita) deserves much of the credit. They've gone from an insideously diabolical Ryan defense to something like a plug-and-play style. While there will be some wrinkles, the base defense is simple, so that the players can just react and play thoughtlessly fast.
I still prefer the 3-4 and all that versatility, but there's much to be said for fundamentals.
One thing about this defense is that it requires the majority of players to win individual battles. It will need to be very muscular (except for the defensive ends).
Speaking of which, I hope to see Benard back up to speed soon. I'd thought that he'd muscled up, but apparantly (maybe also) got fatter (on purpose). Blame the strike and non-communication with coaches. I'll bet he plays best at around 260.
Why was anybody surprised that Sheard showed up at around his college playing weight of 268? Oh yeah: Because for the combine he slimmed down because he might have been a 3-4 OLB. Lazy lazy lazy. A brain is a terrible thing to waste.
Joe Haden got toasted twice last week. Can't you people be consistant? You're supposed to be saying he sucks! I mean, Wright was here and steadily improving for two seasons, to the extent that after his second, many of you were saying that he should have made the Pro Bowl.
Then the Ravens strafe him, and suddenly he sucks. Why did you drag Wright off the pedestal and to the hanging tree in one afternoon, and yet overlook Haden's bad day? You can't possibly have matured that much in one offseason! You must just like him because he goes to Cavs games.
It's ok with me. Every cornerback in the NFL has had gameS like that, and I think Haden is da bomb. Just wondering why you don't think with your brains.
Brown's performance is somewhat more disturbing, due to his age. He got toasted too, both weeks. Last season, he was not just good, but excellent. I hope it's just rust, but I'm like Belichick about age. One year...probably just rust. He should be fine. I hope. At least whenever he isn't anymore, he'll be a top-notch free safety. I'd even extend him for a couple years because of that.
well okbye.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Predictions
Blahblah only preseason blahblah not get too excited blahblah long way to go blahblah some holes blahblah notice how sagely wise I am blahblahblahblahblah BUT:
1: Colt McCoy is great. It doesn't matter who his recievers are, or if his opponents stop the run. It doesn't matter if the defense spends more time in the backfield than the running backs. He's as effective running for his life as he is standing in a pocket.
It doesn't matter if his recievers are covered, because the defenders can't get to the ball anyway.
The Browns finally have a real quarterback.
2: Last season and before, if the offense reached the red zone, it was usually two runs, and incomplete pass, and a field goal. Now, it's usually a touchdown.
This isn't about how bad Daboll sucks (he doesn't). This is the system. There are tons of short and intermediate passes in this timing system, and when the field shortens, it doesn't change anything. The defense does have less field to cover, meaning they can cover tighter and often be more aggressive, but McCoy is now used to throwing quickly and hitting tight windows. And, the run is still often replaced by a dink-pass.
3: Massequoi will reclaim his x-spot when he gets back, and will kick butt. He can go deep about as often as Jerry Rice did (which was seldom). It helps that he is faster than Rice ever was.
4: Cribbs the WR did not cease to exist against Detroit. He had his guy beat on the interference play, and has proven--including last season--that he has really good hands. His issues were defeating bumps at the line and getting separation. Considering the fact that he's been playing outside (not much in the slot) this preseason, it's clear to those who bother to watch closely that he defeats press coverage and gets a little separation. What else does he need?
PS I love what he said: "You get me the ball in the open field and I run with it. That's the threat." Exactly, Josh!
5: Little is a much bigger Massequoi. By the way, what's this "concerns about his hands" stuff? In camp he dropped a bunch of passes EARLY, but questionable hands had nothing to do with his college resume. Why do some analysts just make stuff up?
6: Like I said, the tight ends will be integral to the passing game and the Browns now have several who can get deep. How, in the absence of one of the six or seven "proven" deep threats in the NFL, can a defense put eight men in the box when one of three huge guys can catch one 20 or 30 yards downfield amongst liliputions?
Further, how can you get eight men in the box when a tight end and/or running back so often line up outside of it?
7: Because of this, as I predicted earlier, the Browns have used a slot reciever sparingly. This has hidden a secret weapon: Smurf Jordan Norwood. This dude can fly. Against certain defenses, he will be used. It will be fun.
1: Colt McCoy is great. It doesn't matter who his recievers are, or if his opponents stop the run. It doesn't matter if the defense spends more time in the backfield than the running backs. He's as effective running for his life as he is standing in a pocket.
It doesn't matter if his recievers are covered, because the defenders can't get to the ball anyway.
The Browns finally have a real quarterback.
2: Last season and before, if the offense reached the red zone, it was usually two runs, and incomplete pass, and a field goal. Now, it's usually a touchdown.
This isn't about how bad Daboll sucks (he doesn't). This is the system. There are tons of short and intermediate passes in this timing system, and when the field shortens, it doesn't change anything. The defense does have less field to cover, meaning they can cover tighter and often be more aggressive, but McCoy is now used to throwing quickly and hitting tight windows. And, the run is still often replaced by a dink-pass.
3: Massequoi will reclaim his x-spot when he gets back, and will kick butt. He can go deep about as often as Jerry Rice did (which was seldom). It helps that he is faster than Rice ever was.
4: Cribbs the WR did not cease to exist against Detroit. He had his guy beat on the interference play, and has proven--including last season--that he has really good hands. His issues were defeating bumps at the line and getting separation. Considering the fact that he's been playing outside (not much in the slot) this preseason, it's clear to those who bother to watch closely that he defeats press coverage and gets a little separation. What else does he need?
PS I love what he said: "You get me the ball in the open field and I run with it. That's the threat." Exactly, Josh!
5: Little is a much bigger Massequoi. By the way, what's this "concerns about his hands" stuff? In camp he dropped a bunch of passes EARLY, but questionable hands had nothing to do with his college resume. Why do some analysts just make stuff up?
6: Like I said, the tight ends will be integral to the passing game and the Browns now have several who can get deep. How, in the absence of one of the six or seven "proven" deep threats in the NFL, can a defense put eight men in the box when one of three huge guys can catch one 20 or 30 yards downfield amongst liliputions?
Further, how can you get eight men in the box when a tight end and/or running back so often line up outside of it?
7: Because of this, as I predicted earlier, the Browns have used a slot reciever sparingly. This has hidden a secret weapon: Smurf Jordan Norwood. This dude can fly. Against certain defenses, he will be used. It will be fun.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Comments and Opinions on Comments and Opinions
I was rolling into town and caught WKNR this morning. I found out the source of all the rhetorical bashing I read on the posts.
The worst WR corps in the league? I mean, I know that there are no proven stars, but there simply must be one or more teams that are worse. Dumb people dart to extremes much faster than sentient people. They can't even insert "one of".
More thoughtful and insightful analysis came from (former Jets GM) Pat Kirwin and (former Ditka-Bearss superbowl DT) Tim Ryan, who visited Browns camp for NFL Radio.
Ryan made the simple observation that he wasn't seeing any of the recievers get separation from the defenders. Kirwin went further, and decried their lack of a burner to "take the top off" a defense.
OK, it's true. But there are a lot of assumptions included in these opinions, and mitigating factors which weren't even considered:
1: MoMass averages over 15 yards per-catch. He did this in vertical-passing offenses. His rookie season, he averaged almost 20 YPC with a weak running game and with Quinn and Anderson. He was the de facto #1 reciever by a wide margin. With nobody else to take the heat off him, he made a whole lot of plays in the second half of his rookie season.
Some defenses double-covered him, and he still made catches. Other defenses stacked 8 or even 9 guys in the box, and he made them pay.
Massequoi is as fast or faster than most of the "known" deep threats. His strong points ARE his ability to get separation, and his yards-after-catch-all West Coast ideals.
Because of a weak sophomore season with three different quarterbacks, and very strong pass-catching tight ends and backs, in a run-oriented offense, I fail to understand why Massequoi is being dismissed.
2: Robiskie, per the coaches, is quietly doing very well. He's a possession reciever. And that's ok.
3: Carlton Mitchell hasn't even had a chance yet...therefore does not exist.
4: Little IS a big powerful guy, but was among the fastest recievers in this draft and is fully capable of going deep BEFORE a catch, and of out-leaping/muscling everybody else for the ball. He's already been typecast ad Anquan Bolden. Not bad, but not completely accurate. Little is a FASTER Bolden.
5: It's not too surprising that the recievers are having a hard time getting separation from Skrine and Haden, is it?
Speaking of which, I told you that Skrine could cover anybody, only the big guys have too much reach for him. I told you that he could very well be one of the opponent-specific third cornerbacks, and a backup outside as a rookie. Nobody else told you that. And no, you didn't think of it yourself just now (Helloooo!)
Ryan also declared that the Browns have nobody to rush the passer. This boggled my mind, because he and Kirwin had just spent about 45 seconds talking about how good it was for Sheard to be practicing against Joe Thomas. Could one of you name for me the defensive end that Thomas can't shut down? How can you say something like that?
Back to Kirwin's point (and former QB Jim Miller says that too a lesser extent it does apply to West Coast offenses): If you don't have one reciever who you don't dare try to cover with one guy, they can bring the safeties down to stop the run and blow up intermediate passes--while sending an extra guy or two after the QB.
If you have that one human torch reciever, then at least one cornerback has to play softer, and one safety has to set up and stay deeper, so stuff underneath is more open and runs have better chances.
How can I argue? I just say you should re-read what I wrote earlier.
6: The Browns don't have a realistic chance of accomplishing much this season. The coaches DO like their YOUNG, somewhat unproven recievers, including the guys you've never heard of. They don't want to commit a bunch of money to a bandaid who will retire or leave just as they contend, and don't want that move to cost them one of their young guys who they think will BE somebody.
7: Jordon Norwood has really, really shined in the slot, and he CAN toast you.
8: All four of the tight ends can make big plays. It doesn't matter if the little guys can catch you when you can carry them and not even slow down much, see? You get behind a linebacker and he can't catch you. Behind a safety and he won't catch you for awhile. If you are willing to trust one safety or linebacker to prevent one of these guys from getting a big gain, you are a fool. Go ahead and bring that safety up close. I dare you.
9: ALL of the tight ends, and for that matter the running backs, can deploy wide and take a big defender outside with them. You can't really stack the box in the conventional sense. The Browns have awesome pass-catching backs and tight ends. Among the best in the NFL--and that is the truth.
Sure, a burner (if he's not already here) would help, but it still won't be possible to stack this team up.
I'm glad they start with the Superbowl champs. They might get slaughtered, but these young players need the reps. Kinda like practicing against Joe Haden, Joe Thomas, Alex Mack, TJ Ward, Dqwell Jackson, and guys like that...
Oh yeah and I told you that Jackson was a natural Mike in this defense. That much should show up tonight.
The worst WR corps in the league? I mean, I know that there are no proven stars, but there simply must be one or more teams that are worse. Dumb people dart to extremes much faster than sentient people. They can't even insert "one of".
More thoughtful and insightful analysis came from (former Jets GM) Pat Kirwin and (former Ditka-Bearss superbowl DT) Tim Ryan, who visited Browns camp for NFL Radio.
Ryan made the simple observation that he wasn't seeing any of the recievers get separation from the defenders. Kirwin went further, and decried their lack of a burner to "take the top off" a defense.
OK, it's true. But there are a lot of assumptions included in these opinions, and mitigating factors which weren't even considered:
1: MoMass averages over 15 yards per-catch. He did this in vertical-passing offenses. His rookie season, he averaged almost 20 YPC with a weak running game and with Quinn and Anderson. He was the de facto #1 reciever by a wide margin. With nobody else to take the heat off him, he made a whole lot of plays in the second half of his rookie season.
Some defenses double-covered him, and he still made catches. Other defenses stacked 8 or even 9 guys in the box, and he made them pay.
Massequoi is as fast or faster than most of the "known" deep threats. His strong points ARE his ability to get separation, and his yards-after-catch-all West Coast ideals.
Because of a weak sophomore season with three different quarterbacks, and very strong pass-catching tight ends and backs, in a run-oriented offense, I fail to understand why Massequoi is being dismissed.
2: Robiskie, per the coaches, is quietly doing very well. He's a possession reciever. And that's ok.
3: Carlton Mitchell hasn't even had a chance yet...therefore does not exist.
4: Little IS a big powerful guy, but was among the fastest recievers in this draft and is fully capable of going deep BEFORE a catch, and of out-leaping/muscling everybody else for the ball. He's already been typecast ad Anquan Bolden. Not bad, but not completely accurate. Little is a FASTER Bolden.
5: It's not too surprising that the recievers are having a hard time getting separation from Skrine and Haden, is it?
Speaking of which, I told you that Skrine could cover anybody, only the big guys have too much reach for him. I told you that he could very well be one of the opponent-specific third cornerbacks, and a backup outside as a rookie. Nobody else told you that. And no, you didn't think of it yourself just now (Helloooo!)
Ryan also declared that the Browns have nobody to rush the passer. This boggled my mind, because he and Kirwin had just spent about 45 seconds talking about how good it was for Sheard to be practicing against Joe Thomas. Could one of you name for me the defensive end that Thomas can't shut down? How can you say something like that?
Back to Kirwin's point (and former QB Jim Miller says that too a lesser extent it does apply to West Coast offenses): If you don't have one reciever who you don't dare try to cover with one guy, they can bring the safeties down to stop the run and blow up intermediate passes--while sending an extra guy or two after the QB.
If you have that one human torch reciever, then at least one cornerback has to play softer, and one safety has to set up and stay deeper, so stuff underneath is more open and runs have better chances.
How can I argue? I just say you should re-read what I wrote earlier.
6: The Browns don't have a realistic chance of accomplishing much this season. The coaches DO like their YOUNG, somewhat unproven recievers, including the guys you've never heard of. They don't want to commit a bunch of money to a bandaid who will retire or leave just as they contend, and don't want that move to cost them one of their young guys who they think will BE somebody.
7: Jordon Norwood has really, really shined in the slot, and he CAN toast you.
8: All four of the tight ends can make big plays. It doesn't matter if the little guys can catch you when you can carry them and not even slow down much, see? You get behind a linebacker and he can't catch you. Behind a safety and he won't catch you for awhile. If you are willing to trust one safety or linebacker to prevent one of these guys from getting a big gain, you are a fool. Go ahead and bring that safety up close. I dare you.
9: ALL of the tight ends, and for that matter the running backs, can deploy wide and take a big defender outside with them. You can't really stack the box in the conventional sense. The Browns have awesome pass-catching backs and tight ends. Among the best in the NFL--and that is the truth.
Sure, a burner (if he's not already here) would help, but it still won't be possible to stack this team up.
I'm glad they start with the Superbowl champs. They might get slaughtered, but these young players need the reps. Kinda like practicing against Joe Haden, Joe Thomas, Alex Mack, TJ Ward, Dqwell Jackson, and guys like that...
Oh yeah and I told you that Jackson was a natural Mike in this defense. That much should show up tonight.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Draft Need Corrections
OK look, MoMass averaged almost 20 yards per catch as a rookie with DA and Quinn. He did it without much help from the other recievers or the backs, and defenses were zeroed in on him. Because last season he didn't do much, a lot of you are, as usual, shoveling dirt on his closed coffin. The fact is that Ben Watson and Peyton Hillis had become the favorite targets of a rookie quarterback. The passing game attacked the middle of the field more, partly to help McCoy take baby steps in learning his trade. MoMass has one of the highest upsides of any reciever in the NFL in a West Coast system which does NOT stress straight-line speed, but rather precise routes, separation, blocking, and run-after-catch. Plus, he does have pretty good wheels as it is. I don't know if I've seen him lose any footraces. I could be wrong, but I don't remember it, unless a defender had a really good angle, or he was forced to apply the brakes. Robiskie doesn't have MoMass's explosiveness, but seeks to make up for it with size. Some think he's slow, but that's no accurate. He runs a decent 40, and his real speed is in his top end. He's a long strider. We saw a few flashes of that last season, when he got loose with the ball, and couldn't be caught. I didn't say he's a big-play guy. He only has one gear, and isn't explosive out of his breaks like Robiskie is. He may never get much separation from defenders, and will need to use his bigger body and longer reach to snag balls, then break tackles to get much after the catch. But he should, in his third season, be a viable alternate target who can break a long one occasionally. Carlton Mitchell was for some reason declared dead-on-arrival by many as he failed to do anything as a raw rookie who'd come out early. Physicly, however, he's a match for the most talented recievers in the NFL. Will he emerge this season? Well, it's no sure thing, but it IS more likely than not. He's had a full off season and season to practice and hone his skills under NFL coaches. While Daboll's system wasn't a West Coast, Mangini and co. had very high standards in re precise routes--and this is the main thing that kept him on the practice squad. You can say that the Browns need more home-run hitters, but this assumes a lot. It assumes that Josh Cribbs won't be used more logicly in the offense, that Mitchell won't emerge at all, and that MoMass in his third season and it the West Coast won't explode. If you say that the Browns need wide recievers, period, and have them mock-drafting big possession guys, you're full of it. Evan Moore might be called a tight end, but can do everything Jurevicious did. He's even a bigger problem for defenses, since his presence on the field must be answered by the defense; ie the defense can't deploy the same nickel as the would vs. a conventional 3 or 4-wide. In fact, with Watson also in the mix, the Browns could split him out as well, creating all sorts of holes, and making a blitze scarier for the defense than for McCoy. While it's true that a blistering burner who blows doors off cornerbacks going vertical would be a real asset to any offense, the jury is still out on Mitchell, and this need is not at all critical. Holmgrens' statements about these recievers having good speed, and his being pleased with them, are dismissed as a smokescreen by those who think they know better, but it's not. He was simply telling the truth. Fan statements that we won't know how good McCoy can be until he has some recievers are simply ignorant. He will have a bunch of recievers--just maybe not that deep threat that about 23 other NFL teams get along without. It would be cool with me if the Browns could nab a Bowers or a Dareus, or possibly that super-cornerback, but trading out of that spot to get more picks would be better than taking Green--as good as he looks. And that trade-down looks like it has a good shot this time. In my mock draft, the Browns trade down--and I mean maybe by a lot. They need a young right tackle, at least for the future, a bunch of defensive linemen, linebacker, and even secondary help. They can't fill all the holes in one draft, but a trade-down could net (for example) two defensive linemen with firts-ground grades AND a right tackle who projects to start in 2012 instead of just one guy. Why isn't that obvious?
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Welcome to Amerika
You buy a house. You have to do some repairs, and you make some improvements. You've got a mortgage-you took a risk. But it's YOURS. In America, you are allowed to own things.
Now, you manage to find a good tenant, and rent the place out. After you sign the one-year lease agreement, you realize that you were stupid. Similar houses and apartments in the area are getting like 40% more per month!
But a contract is a contract, and you live with it, until the lease expires.
Meanwhile, things get tighter in a bad economy. You're not really losing money, but really wish you hadn't signed that idotic lease contract.
You warn your tenant that you'll need to raise the rent with the new contract, and you set some money aside, in case you lose him and have to lose a couple months' rent. He says he's sure you and he can "work something out". Hmm.
Now you present him with your new proposal. He asks you why you're raising the rent. You want to be diplomatic, so you point out that the first deal was 40% below market, and that money is tight.
He wants to see your "books", so he can "work with" you.
You want to punch him in the mouth. Apparantly he thinks he's your partner or something. But he was a real good tenant, and after some arguing, you decide to indulge him. You show him what you paid the plumber and electrician, property taxes, insurance--everything about the property, plusses and minuses.
He looks at this and says "where's the rest?"
"The rest what?"
"The 401k, 1099's from your investments, books on your other properties, tax returns--"
"Whoa! Why do you need to see that?"
"Well--how can I decide what I should pay you if I don't know how much you need?"
THIS IS AMERICA, NOT AMERIKA. IT'S NONE OF THE PLAYERS DAMN BUSINESS WHAT THE OWNERS MAKE. THE BAD DEAL THEY MADE IS EXPIRED AND THE OWNERS ARE DONE GETTING HOSED. IF THEY MAKE HUGE, MASSIVE PROFITS IT'S NONE OF YOUR DAMN BUSINESS--THEY OWN THE TEAMS.
THE TEAMS BELONG TO THEM. YOU ARE EMPLOYEES. THEY OWE YOU SALARIES, MEDICAL CARE, AND WHAT YOUR INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTS SAY THEY OWE YOU, AND NOTHING MORE UNTIL YOU BACK OFF AND MAKE A NEW CONTRACT.
And you're not "labor". You don't drive a truck or work in a factory. You live a dream. You PLAY a kid's game for a living. "Labor"...wash your mouths out with soap! Injuries, yeah. Tell that to a guy with one leg coming back from Afghanistan! The difference is YOU play a GAME and make a whole helluva lot more money.
Don't talk about the secretaries, businesses, coaches, scouts, and other employees. The OWNERS hired and employed them while YOU just played a game.
The real reason the players have forced this impasse is because they don't want to give BACK what the owners were stupid and weak enough to offer as a bribe in the previous contract.
And be honest: That was extortion.
The players now think of themselves as partners, morally entitled to 59% of the revenues in addition to their massive salaries and other compensation. They're not entitled to ONE percent!
Understand this: That was the 40% reduced rent in this story. The contract screwed the landlord for 12 months, but now it's over. The landlord will never get back all that money, but now just wants to make somewhere within a couple miles of what he should have been making all along.
The middle keeps moving farther and farther left, and the same people who were saying "both sides" are to blame 15 years ago are saying it today.
Pretty soon you'll all be standing next to Micheal Moore blaming both sides. Welcome to Amerika.
Now, you manage to find a good tenant, and rent the place out. After you sign the one-year lease agreement, you realize that you were stupid. Similar houses and apartments in the area are getting like 40% more per month!
But a contract is a contract, and you live with it, until the lease expires.
Meanwhile, things get tighter in a bad economy. You're not really losing money, but really wish you hadn't signed that idotic lease contract.
You warn your tenant that you'll need to raise the rent with the new contract, and you set some money aside, in case you lose him and have to lose a couple months' rent. He says he's sure you and he can "work something out". Hmm.
Now you present him with your new proposal. He asks you why you're raising the rent. You want to be diplomatic, so you point out that the first deal was 40% below market, and that money is tight.
He wants to see your "books", so he can "work with" you.
You want to punch him in the mouth. Apparantly he thinks he's your partner or something. But he was a real good tenant, and after some arguing, you decide to indulge him. You show him what you paid the plumber and electrician, property taxes, insurance--everything about the property, plusses and minuses.
He looks at this and says "where's the rest?"
"The rest what?"
"The 401k, 1099's from your investments, books on your other properties, tax returns--"
"Whoa! Why do you need to see that?"
"Well--how can I decide what I should pay you if I don't know how much you need?"
THIS IS AMERICA, NOT AMERIKA. IT'S NONE OF THE PLAYERS DAMN BUSINESS WHAT THE OWNERS MAKE. THE BAD DEAL THEY MADE IS EXPIRED AND THE OWNERS ARE DONE GETTING HOSED. IF THEY MAKE HUGE, MASSIVE PROFITS IT'S NONE OF YOUR DAMN BUSINESS--THEY OWN THE TEAMS.
THE TEAMS BELONG TO THEM. YOU ARE EMPLOYEES. THEY OWE YOU SALARIES, MEDICAL CARE, AND WHAT YOUR INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTS SAY THEY OWE YOU, AND NOTHING MORE UNTIL YOU BACK OFF AND MAKE A NEW CONTRACT.
And you're not "labor". You don't drive a truck or work in a factory. You live a dream. You PLAY a kid's game for a living. "Labor"...wash your mouths out with soap! Injuries, yeah. Tell that to a guy with one leg coming back from Afghanistan! The difference is YOU play a GAME and make a whole helluva lot more money.
Don't talk about the secretaries, businesses, coaches, scouts, and other employees. The OWNERS hired and employed them while YOU just played a game.
The real reason the players have forced this impasse is because they don't want to give BACK what the owners were stupid and weak enough to offer as a bribe in the previous contract.
And be honest: That was extortion.
The players now think of themselves as partners, morally entitled to 59% of the revenues in addition to their massive salaries and other compensation. They're not entitled to ONE percent!
Understand this: That was the 40% reduced rent in this story. The contract screwed the landlord for 12 months, but now it's over. The landlord will never get back all that money, but now just wants to make somewhere within a couple miles of what he should have been making all along.
The middle keeps moving farther and farther left, and the same people who were saying "both sides" are to blame 15 years ago are saying it today.
Pretty soon you'll all be standing next to Micheal Moore blaming both sides. Welcome to Amerika.
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