Ahhh, shaddap! I mean holy s--t Shurmer "punished" Hillis? They got BEHIND and had to pass to COME BACK. And some of the same people who agreed with me that it would be good to take some carries of Hillis now think it's a big freaking conspiracy when that happens!
Black helicopters, Mousad suicide pilots, CIA snipers, and now Hillisgate for crying out loud get a JOB!
McCoy is almost a rookie but "that's no excuse--" Stop right there. Why isn't it an excuse? Is inexperience and a new system ever an excuse? You never think before you whip out the cliches. Inexperience and a new system are excuses for a quarterback (and recievers) making mistakes. DEAL with it!
You still say "The New York FOOTBALL Giants" too, don't you? Ask your oldest grandparent if they remember the baseball Giants in New York. Why do you keep saying that? Quit saying that and quit saying "that's no excuse" no matter what. THINK.
Most defenses can shut down all the deep zones with two safeties deep. You're not picking on McCoy for having a weak arm. You're bashing him for not being STUPID and making their day.
Rookie left guard and almost rookie right guard. Right tackle with no reps and now I suppose they need to replace the whole line, too, right?
It's true: A good team (which will whup the overrated geezer Stoolers next week by the way) "exposed" the Browns weaknesses. It's true, they HAVE weaknesses. Their biggest weaknesses are that they're four games into a season with no offseason with a new (complex) system, an almost-rookie QB and right guard, a rookie left guard, and more rookies--but that's no excuse YES IT IS STFU.
Take your ropes and torches and go home. We're waiting for the circuit judge, and he won't be here til around game twelve. By that time, these youngsters might have had a little time to prepare a defense. Sober up and go home now...this shotgun aint for show.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Accuracy
1: Colt had a bad game, okay. But it amazes me that the BOBW's are tossing in his two touchdown passes, and a few others thrown into traffic.
Okay (sigh): There are these opposing players called defensive backs, see? They are trying to stay right with the reciever, and to intercept the ball, okay? When a quarterback can put the ball where his reciever can catch it and the defensive back can't, that is good. DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
2: Once again, the armchair Sargeant Rocks are up in arms talking about Peyton Hillis being soft. At that time, Montario Hardesty was the Browns best running back by a significant margin. Had Hillis insisted on playing anyway, he would be a selfish moron. Had Shurmer allowed him to play, I would have lobbied for his summary execution.
Guy plays three games with broken ribs and now you question his toughness. Stay in your armchairs and zip it.
3: McCoy may have fled the pocket prematurely a time or two, but here come the BOTW's (Baby-out-with-the bathwater's) again, lumping in the controlled roll-outs. When the quarterback never stops his retreat and keeps going, looping back and to his right, it's a designed play. It helps the offensive line. which knows in advance that there will be no pocket, and where the defrense's moving target is going. It helps the wide recievers, who know where he can and can't see.
A SMART coach adapts his game-plan to his talent. The Browns are having trouble pass-protecting, especially at right tackle. McCoy is very mobile and effective throwing on the move.
More: Defenders attacking the right tackle's best moves are inside. Smith, the tight end, was used more (at Moore's expense unfortunately) to chip defenders on the outside, plus if they looped wide around behind the tackle, McCoy (or a back kept in to protect) would have a clear throwing or running lane between guard and tackle.
The roll-out eliminates the threat of the quick DE or linebacker crossing the right tackle's face and shooting between him and the right guard. McCoy leads his pursuit right back into the right tackle...who kinda waits for him haha.
Pashos isn't really much better than his replacements as a pass blocker, but does have better reach; can force the outside rusher to take a wider angle, or knock him off-balance inside, buying himself time. He's just barely enough better that he doesn't often need tight end help.
With Pashos, McCoy can stay in the pocket a little more, Evan Moore (or Josh Cribbs) can be on the field more, and Pashos is one of the best run-blockers in the league, so...
Anyway, please go see what you did to the baby this time. I don't know how much more it can take.
4: McCoy's last drive was a thing of beauty. Phil Simms, who as I've mentioned brushes off any nquarterback without a cannon, said "It gets you to the next game". Yeah? For an almost-rookie in a new system with a new coach?
No, it made a big difference, as this whole offense needs to prove things to itself as well as to opponents. They now know that they can do it, and remember how they did it. It will be easier the second time. McCoy himself rarely had to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat as the Texas QB--they murdered most of their opponents. Now he's done it at the highest level. I don't need to be an ex-quarterback to know that it means a lot.
5: On that last drive, Little showed up big-time, and Massequoi in the clutch. The WR's caught most of the passes. It was promising in several ways, as the plan all along is to attack every part of the field, using every weapon.
6: I agree with Grossi's idea of using the hurry-up earlier in the game.
7: Massequoi is the number one reciever. Predictably, it was the great Pluto who said it second. Soon, others will blink and rub their eyes and realize that he has the speed, the YAC, and the hands to beat single coverage almost every time. Third season. Is it sinking in yet?
8: Hasselback is scary, but so is the Browns rapidly-developing defensive line. He looks foreward to blitzes to burn, but a four man front that gets pressure without a blitze is his ideal nemisis.
I love the delayed blitzes by Jackson. I wasn't able to watch the last one, but I like to think that Gocong delayed as well. Delayed blitzes are really this: If it's a run, you're in position. If it's a pass, you react AFTER the recievers have made their reads and can no longer exploit the space you vacate, and after the offensive linemen are engaged. Maybe even after the running back has seen no leaks and gone into a pattern, leaving no protection.
Hasselback is not very mobile. This defense, expecially with Joe Haden on one wide reciever and Ward on Jonson or a tight end, has a chance to mess Hasselback and co. up.
9: Johnson terrifies me. I grew up in Cleveland. Don't we all just KNOW that this game will be his coming-out party?
10: With Pashos, the Browns can run the ball, even against these guys. And they should. I still can't wait to see a two-back. And a two-back, two-tight-end offense too, for that matter (with Moore and Watson). They can force some truly lopsided matchups here.
You don't just open holes by blocking. You can also open holes by splitting tight ends out and putting running backs in the slot. Base defense personel have to leave the box to get on them. Then they have to react out of coverage to close on a runner--with the guy they meant to cover in their grill.
Nickel and dime defenses are fast. Base defenses are not. USE THE GOONS, Pat!
Prediction: 15-1. Update to follow this game, when I get more info.
Okay (sigh): There are these opposing players called defensive backs, see? They are trying to stay right with the reciever, and to intercept the ball, okay? When a quarterback can put the ball where his reciever can catch it and the defensive back can't, that is good. DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
2: Once again, the armchair Sargeant Rocks are up in arms talking about Peyton Hillis being soft. At that time, Montario Hardesty was the Browns best running back by a significant margin. Had Hillis insisted on playing anyway, he would be a selfish moron. Had Shurmer allowed him to play, I would have lobbied for his summary execution.
Guy plays three games with broken ribs and now you question his toughness. Stay in your armchairs and zip it.
3: McCoy may have fled the pocket prematurely a time or two, but here come the BOTW's (Baby-out-with-the bathwater's) again, lumping in the controlled roll-outs. When the quarterback never stops his retreat and keeps going, looping back and to his right, it's a designed play. It helps the offensive line. which knows in advance that there will be no pocket, and where the defrense's moving target is going. It helps the wide recievers, who know where he can and can't see.
A SMART coach adapts his game-plan to his talent. The Browns are having trouble pass-protecting, especially at right tackle. McCoy is very mobile and effective throwing on the move.
More: Defenders attacking the right tackle's best moves are inside. Smith, the tight end, was used more (at Moore's expense unfortunately) to chip defenders on the outside, plus if they looped wide around behind the tackle, McCoy (or a back kept in to protect) would have a clear throwing or running lane between guard and tackle.
The roll-out eliminates the threat of the quick DE or linebacker crossing the right tackle's face and shooting between him and the right guard. McCoy leads his pursuit right back into the right tackle...who kinda waits for him haha.
Pashos isn't really much better than his replacements as a pass blocker, but does have better reach; can force the outside rusher to take a wider angle, or knock him off-balance inside, buying himself time. He's just barely enough better that he doesn't often need tight end help.
With Pashos, McCoy can stay in the pocket a little more, Evan Moore (or Josh Cribbs) can be on the field more, and Pashos is one of the best run-blockers in the league, so...
Anyway, please go see what you did to the baby this time. I don't know how much more it can take.
4: McCoy's last drive was a thing of beauty. Phil Simms, who as I've mentioned brushes off any nquarterback without a cannon, said "It gets you to the next game". Yeah? For an almost-rookie in a new system with a new coach?
No, it made a big difference, as this whole offense needs to prove things to itself as well as to opponents. They now know that they can do it, and remember how they did it. It will be easier the second time. McCoy himself rarely had to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat as the Texas QB--they murdered most of their opponents. Now he's done it at the highest level. I don't need to be an ex-quarterback to know that it means a lot.
5: On that last drive, Little showed up big-time, and Massequoi in the clutch. The WR's caught most of the passes. It was promising in several ways, as the plan all along is to attack every part of the field, using every weapon.
6: I agree with Grossi's idea of using the hurry-up earlier in the game.
7: Massequoi is the number one reciever. Predictably, it was the great Pluto who said it second. Soon, others will blink and rub their eyes and realize that he has the speed, the YAC, and the hands to beat single coverage almost every time. Third season. Is it sinking in yet?
8: Hasselback is scary, but so is the Browns rapidly-developing defensive line. He looks foreward to blitzes to burn, but a four man front that gets pressure without a blitze is his ideal nemisis.
I love the delayed blitzes by Jackson. I wasn't able to watch the last one, but I like to think that Gocong delayed as well. Delayed blitzes are really this: If it's a run, you're in position. If it's a pass, you react AFTER the recievers have made their reads and can no longer exploit the space you vacate, and after the offensive linemen are engaged. Maybe even after the running back has seen no leaks and gone into a pattern, leaving no protection.
Hasselback is not very mobile. This defense, expecially with Joe Haden on one wide reciever and Ward on Jonson or a tight end, has a chance to mess Hasselback and co. up.
9: Johnson terrifies me. I grew up in Cleveland. Don't we all just KNOW that this game will be his coming-out party?
10: With Pashos, the Browns can run the ball, even against these guys. And they should. I still can't wait to see a two-back. And a two-back, two-tight-end offense too, for that matter (with Moore and Watson). They can force some truly lopsided matchups here.
You don't just open holes by blocking. You can also open holes by splitting tight ends out and putting running backs in the slot. Base defense personel have to leave the box to get on them. Then they have to react out of coverage to close on a runner--with the guy they meant to cover in their grill.
Nickel and dime defenses are fast. Base defenses are not. USE THE GOONS, Pat!
Prediction: 15-1. Update to follow this game, when I get more info.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Nothing to See Here, Move Along!
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.
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.
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.
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