I like this guy!
First off, it's easy to bash anybody's playcalling. You wait to see what happens, and if it doesn't work, it was stupid. Another method is the Obvious method. You must always run up the middle on first down. Another is the Predictably Unpredictable method: You must always pass on first down.
Then there's the They'll Never See This Coming method: You must always do the opposite of the obvious.
Most bashers mix-and-match all these methods play-by-play, but merely as reasons why the unsuccessful play was stupid.
I'm not bashing the bashers or anything, because I was bashing Shurmer's playcalling too. For me, it was the getting inside Dawson's range and shutting down everything but the run to make sure nothing bad could happen. This guaranteed us a bunch of field goals and no touchdowns.
But some of the bashing is coming from asylums. Like, you never pass the ball on first down! Or you must go 50/50 pass and run on first, regardless of the defense, their front, etc.
The new Pat, however, is aggressive and opportunistic.
The Browns have a big offensive line that can move people inside--whether they know it's coming or not. Whether they like it or not. So he's been going for it more on fourth and inches. Like when the referees screwed Weeden out of his first down on third-and-inches with a bad spot? They went for it on fourth with the same play. I guess the center and guards were angry, because they blew it up and Weeds accidentally got around two yards.
But the point is, Shurmer DID call the play.
When they get into the red zone, now he lets Weeden take shots at the end zone rather than handing (or dumping) it off to TRich 3 times and then kicking a field goal (after the entire defense ignores everybody else and converges on the overworked rookie running back because they know he's going to get the ball no matter what every single time).
When Weeden threw a stupid interception, Shurmer didn't immediately delete all intermediate and deep passes from the game plan. NOW, you just never know when Weeden will try to wooden-stake you.
How 'bout going for it on fourth and a couple feet and PASSING? Most wait for the end of that play and then decide if it was stupid or not. But more than a few can't handle not running no matter what in that situation. I am proud to say that I like the guts and wouldn't have bashed it if it hadn't worked.
That's a wooden-stake play, as certainly as any long bomb. The whole defense is all over the line of scrimmage. The linemen are diving for penetration, so it's very hard for them to get back up and muster a pass-rush. No reciever can be double-covered at all because the safeties must think run first.
Any reception here could go all the way, as the reciever is already behind most of the defenders.
Field position matters as well. Had the fourth-and-inches pass failed, the opponent simply takes over on downs with good, but not great, field position. About the same as a punt-and-return. Risk/Reward--I love it.
Part of this is Weeden. He has apparantly won more confidence from Shurmer in these situations.
Vs. the Raiders, I thought he was inconsistant, and was frustrated as hell with him. Then I find out he'd thrown for 364 yards--and then there was that last crunch-time TD-drive. He kept his cool and handled it like a veteran.
I figure this must be like one of those college games where these defensive coordinators bragged about how they'd beat his team by getting more pressure in his face. He threw for something like 360 and 450 yards in those games, too.
I see his issue now. He has to have his feet set. When he does, he's accurate as hell. But when he's on the move, he's mediocre. This can be worked on, but not during a season.
But I digress: In my amateur opinion, Shurmer's last two games have featured some really good playcalling--and game management too. Two penalties in LA? They're disciplined. Even Little catches everything now.
We'll see what happens the rest of the way, but I have to give Shurmer a fair chance of keeping his job, whether the permabashers like it or not.
How bout that Josh Gordon? Nice move, Tom! Yeah most of the guys on NFL Radio thought a next year's second-rounder was too much to pay for a guy who'd hardly played in college and had been in trouble. But Tom doesn't listen to that stuff.
Part of that criticism was based on the assumption that the Browns would again draft at or near the top of the draft because they would suck even worse than they did last season. (I still find this inexplicable. How can you assume that a team this young, in the second year of new offensive and defensive systems, would regress? That's just insane!)
Heckert all along was probably expecting six or more wins.
Now look at that Gordon move! He's already passed up Gregg Little and MoMass! The rawest, most inexperienced rookie wide-out in football is a touchdown machine who just had his first 100-yard game. Can you imagine what this guy will be like coming back from a full off-season with that experience under his belt?
You saw on that 44-yard touchdown what I mentioned before: Once he gets behind a guy, it's over.
Commentors who declare Heckert a goner already are clueless. Yes, it is possible that they'll fire him--but it would be pretty stupid, and I don't think Haslam is stupid.
Monday, December 3, 2012
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Browns Were the More Talented Team
The guys on NFL Radio haven't been as bad as usual with the Squealer-worship, and it's even beginning to dawn on some of them that the Browns have some talent.
Adam Schein, of course, blames the Big Benless Steelers.
I sat next to a group of Steeler fans during most of the game (before finally locating a chapter of Browns Backers in the same place).
First of all, they were pretty nice people and really knew football. Having said that, I was just plain disoriented to hear--during a Browns/Steelers game--these guys complaining about the officiating. No need to elaborate, right?
I wanted to tell this guy: "The reason for all the holding calls is that the Browns defensive line overmatches the Stoolers' offensive line and they ARE holding."
And it's true. In fact, the Browns offensive and defensive lines both dominated, and the reason they dominated was because they are more talented. Certainly Mike Adams will get better, and Castillo will help a lot when he returns, but all this will do is make it closer.
With the return of the Rubin/Taylor tandem (and the ability to keep at least one of them on the field for most downs), the defensive line is suddenly one of the best in the NFL. While there is no superstar passrusher, they bring pressure evenly from both sides and the middle, and everybody gets sacks.
It extends to the front seven. Everybody (except one moron) loves D'Qwell Jackson, but the young undrafted outside 'backers that Heckert dug up are really becoming excellent players in all downs.
The broken-record MM's repeat that the Browns need linebackers, but they don't. If you are saying a "passrushing" linebacker, please stop. This is a 4-3, and needs REAL linebackers.
Sure, nothing is ever perfect, so a real QB-killing weakside starting DE or a super-fast linebacker would help, but these are "wants", not "needs".
TJ Ward has really become a force at safety, too.
And the turnovers? No, it wasn't the Steelers' just giving it up. It was the Browns' taking it. Schein and Tomlin can't seem to get this, but Rich Gannon (who has finally watched a couple games) is talking about an up-and-coming team that is finally putting it together. He said they physicly beat up the Steelers and took the ball with hard, jarring hits.
I was personally frustrated by Weeden holding the ball forever, and then throwing it away. Terry Pluto seems to have seen something different, as he credits Weeden with getting rid of the ball quickly. I think I'm right and Terry is wrong this time.
Tony Grossi blames the coaches for turning a gunslinger into Captain Checkdown. That might have merit, too. For whatever reason, he seems afraid to go deep. I hope it's just a phase.
Gannon and Miller defended him strongly, pointing out the specific defenses he has faced. Others have compared his stats to those of highly regarded quarterbacks vs. the same defenses, and made me think that my expectations for any rookie quarterback have been unreasonable.
The overall offense is now balanced. The wide recievers, including Little, have stopped dropping passes. Weeden is hitting all of them, spreading the ball around.
I still wish that Shurmer wasn't oblivious to the fact that TRich is a rookie accustomed to much shorter seasons, and that if he's not given some rest here and there his legs will die and he'll indeed be ordinary for the last few games--if he isn't HURT again.
I know that Hardesty has put the ball on the ground in the past, but repeat that he never had this issue in college, and should be given a shot to take some reps off TRich.
But I've now gone from negative to neutral on Shurmer overall. Continuity is important, so you've got to grade on a curve here.
A few things about playing in the mud that I don't think people get:
1: It's much harder on cornerbacks and safeties than on big recievers like Little and Gordon. The big reciever's weight gives them better traction so that they can cut without slipping. The smaller defender trying to react to the cut has to tippy-toe around to keep from falling down. They also can't be bumping or getting in the way because they can more easily get decked.
2: Bigger is better in the trenches.
3: It's harder to bring pressure on the quarterback, except with inside blitzes.
The Browns should throw the ball!
They're 1.5 point dogs. I don't get it.
Adam Schein, of course, blames the Big Benless Steelers.
I sat next to a group of Steeler fans during most of the game (before finally locating a chapter of Browns Backers in the same place).
First of all, they were pretty nice people and really knew football. Having said that, I was just plain disoriented to hear--during a Browns/Steelers game--these guys complaining about the officiating. No need to elaborate, right?
I wanted to tell this guy: "The reason for all the holding calls is that the Browns defensive line overmatches the Stoolers' offensive line and they ARE holding."
And it's true. In fact, the Browns offensive and defensive lines both dominated, and the reason they dominated was because they are more talented. Certainly Mike Adams will get better, and Castillo will help a lot when he returns, but all this will do is make it closer.
With the return of the Rubin/Taylor tandem (and the ability to keep at least one of them on the field for most downs), the defensive line is suddenly one of the best in the NFL. While there is no superstar passrusher, they bring pressure evenly from both sides and the middle, and everybody gets sacks.
It extends to the front seven. Everybody (except one moron) loves D'Qwell Jackson, but the young undrafted outside 'backers that Heckert dug up are really becoming excellent players in all downs.
The broken-record MM's repeat that the Browns need linebackers, but they don't. If you are saying a "passrushing" linebacker, please stop. This is a 4-3, and needs REAL linebackers.
Sure, nothing is ever perfect, so a real QB-killing weakside starting DE or a super-fast linebacker would help, but these are "wants", not "needs".
TJ Ward has really become a force at safety, too.
And the turnovers? No, it wasn't the Steelers' just giving it up. It was the Browns' taking it. Schein and Tomlin can't seem to get this, but Rich Gannon (who has finally watched a couple games) is talking about an up-and-coming team that is finally putting it together. He said they physicly beat up the Steelers and took the ball with hard, jarring hits.
I was personally frustrated by Weeden holding the ball forever, and then throwing it away. Terry Pluto seems to have seen something different, as he credits Weeden with getting rid of the ball quickly. I think I'm right and Terry is wrong this time.
Tony Grossi blames the coaches for turning a gunslinger into Captain Checkdown. That might have merit, too. For whatever reason, he seems afraid to go deep. I hope it's just a phase.
Gannon and Miller defended him strongly, pointing out the specific defenses he has faced. Others have compared his stats to those of highly regarded quarterbacks vs. the same defenses, and made me think that my expectations for any rookie quarterback have been unreasonable.
The overall offense is now balanced. The wide recievers, including Little, have stopped dropping passes. Weeden is hitting all of them, spreading the ball around.
I still wish that Shurmer wasn't oblivious to the fact that TRich is a rookie accustomed to much shorter seasons, and that if he's not given some rest here and there his legs will die and he'll indeed be ordinary for the last few games--if he isn't HURT again.
I know that Hardesty has put the ball on the ground in the past, but repeat that he never had this issue in college, and should be given a shot to take some reps off TRich.
But I've now gone from negative to neutral on Shurmer overall. Continuity is important, so you've got to grade on a curve here.
A few things about playing in the mud that I don't think people get:
1: It's much harder on cornerbacks and safeties than on big recievers like Little and Gordon. The big reciever's weight gives them better traction so that they can cut without slipping. The smaller defender trying to react to the cut has to tippy-toe around to keep from falling down. They also can't be bumping or getting in the way because they can more easily get decked.
2: Bigger is better in the trenches.
3: It's harder to bring pressure on the quarterback, except with inside blitzes.
The Browns should throw the ball!
They're 1.5 point dogs. I don't get it.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
What Haslam Might Be Thinking
1: We'll need to complete that list of Head Coach candidates. I can't believe this guy stops throwing inside the twenty. If by the third time I knew they wouldn't try for the end zone, the Ravens did too. He calls it conservative, but it looks timid to me.
The new guy doesn't have to be "proven" like the mantra says. Cowher was an assistant, and so was Tomlin. We just have to vet the candidates thoroughly.
"Proven" guys might want all the power, and I doubt that any of them could pick talent as well as Heckert. Parcells won't come back. I'd like to keep Jauron if I can, and keep the same system so we don't mess Weeden up...speaking of which
2: This Weeden guy is driving me crazy. I've got to allow for his inexperience, but I just don't know. Sometimes he looks as good as the best, but that Ravens game was atrocious. Well, we can wait and see. With the start he had, we can see if he gets more consistant the rest of this season.
On the other hand, he's pretty old. Might need to draft another guy high even if we decide Weeden's the man.
I read some of the fans lobbying for McCoy, but he just doesn't have the same kind of arm, and that's a cieling on what he can do. I saw this with Pennington and some other guys--good but not great. All the Superbowl quarterbacks for several years had strong arms.
We'd have some flexibility if we draft one. We could take a Tannehill type or something, and bring him along slowly.
3: I'd like to keep Heckert. Everybody talks about all the young talent on this team, and Heckert did that almost exclusively through the draft. I really liked that Gordon for next year's second-rounder move! That kid is scary, and he'll come in next season way ahead of the rest of his draft class! I'll take that deal every time!
4: I know Weeden was terrible vs the Ravens, but he still did enough to win against an elite team. I blame Shurmer for that. I like him, but the playcalling was predictable and too conservative. The Steelers until recently had a dominating defense, but since Big Ben's first Superbowl, they've attacked through the air and done very well.
A good coach doesn't lean that hard on even a very good defense by "making sure" of field goals. They take their shots at the end zone, and with those tight ends and Gordon, Weeden can make it happen as often as not. I'm not a football guy, but obviously even the best defenses can get worn down, and when you jump ahead they can't run as much.
5: I heard this clown on NFL Radio saying close games don't mean anything, but they obviously do. They mean that this team can go toe-to-toe with elite teams. They've lost in the end because they don't expect to win yet, and those veterans on the other side do.
And they save their dirty tricks for prime-time. Some rookie blocks the wrong guy, the quarterback's nervous and puts too much on the ball, some veteran reciever outsmarts a young cornerback...
No, the close games mean they have the talent to get there.
6: Besides inexperience, what's keeping them from turning the close losses into wins? Yeah--I think it's the playcalling. I like how Shurmer has shaped everybody up and got them playing well, but...could I let him stay and force a hand-picked playcaller on him? He'd have to accept it...but it could undermine him. No, probably got to replace him.
7: Seven more games. I'm sitting pretty. Let's just watch it play out. Another good draft, and this time some impact free agents, and we should be ready to challenge for the division if there's not too much disruption and a big system change...I mean if Weeden progresses...
The new guy doesn't have to be "proven" like the mantra says. Cowher was an assistant, and so was Tomlin. We just have to vet the candidates thoroughly.
"Proven" guys might want all the power, and I doubt that any of them could pick talent as well as Heckert. Parcells won't come back. I'd like to keep Jauron if I can, and keep the same system so we don't mess Weeden up...speaking of which
2: This Weeden guy is driving me crazy. I've got to allow for his inexperience, but I just don't know. Sometimes he looks as good as the best, but that Ravens game was atrocious. Well, we can wait and see. With the start he had, we can see if he gets more consistant the rest of this season.
On the other hand, he's pretty old. Might need to draft another guy high even if we decide Weeden's the man.
I read some of the fans lobbying for McCoy, but he just doesn't have the same kind of arm, and that's a cieling on what he can do. I saw this with Pennington and some other guys--good but not great. All the Superbowl quarterbacks for several years had strong arms.
We'd have some flexibility if we draft one. We could take a Tannehill type or something, and bring him along slowly.
3: I'd like to keep Heckert. Everybody talks about all the young talent on this team, and Heckert did that almost exclusively through the draft. I really liked that Gordon for next year's second-rounder move! That kid is scary, and he'll come in next season way ahead of the rest of his draft class! I'll take that deal every time!
4: I know Weeden was terrible vs the Ravens, but he still did enough to win against an elite team. I blame Shurmer for that. I like him, but the playcalling was predictable and too conservative. The Steelers until recently had a dominating defense, but since Big Ben's first Superbowl, they've attacked through the air and done very well.
A good coach doesn't lean that hard on even a very good defense by "making sure" of field goals. They take their shots at the end zone, and with those tight ends and Gordon, Weeden can make it happen as often as not. I'm not a football guy, but obviously even the best defenses can get worn down, and when you jump ahead they can't run as much.
5: I heard this clown on NFL Radio saying close games don't mean anything, but they obviously do. They mean that this team can go toe-to-toe with elite teams. They've lost in the end because they don't expect to win yet, and those veterans on the other side do.
And they save their dirty tricks for prime-time. Some rookie blocks the wrong guy, the quarterback's nervous and puts too much on the ball, some veteran reciever outsmarts a young cornerback...
No, the close games mean they have the talent to get there.
6: Besides inexperience, what's keeping them from turning the close losses into wins? Yeah--I think it's the playcalling. I like how Shurmer has shaped everybody up and got them playing well, but...could I let him stay and force a hand-picked playcaller on him? He'd have to accept it...but it could undermine him. No, probably got to replace him.
7: Seven more games. I'm sitting pretty. Let's just watch it play out. Another good draft, and this time some impact free agents, and we should be ready to challenge for the division if there's not too much disruption and a big system change...I mean if Weeden progresses...
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Dear Memorex Moron:
I know you use different names when you ask Tony Grossi questions, but I can always tell it's you. Only you could stick to your preconceptions, regardless of what happens in front of your eyes.
Your mind was made up about Brandon Weeden as soon as he displaced your Dreamboat Colt McCoy. Nothing he has done or will do will change your alleged thinking.
The offense sucked against the Eagles in game one, then was up and down for the next several games, and in the last two has started clicking on all cylinders. To you, it's the same as it was in game one.
Why else would you talk about Weeden under/overthrowing recievers "constantly"? And the not reacting well to pressure thing? That comes from an article you read before training camp even started. He's screwed up some, but the screw-ups usually weren't caused by pressure. Overall, he's performed well under pressure.
You fixate on buzzwords. Your word of the week is "identity". You ask Tony what is the offense's "identity". Is it Weeden throwing "ad infinitum", or is it TRich running?
For you, it just can't be both. But it is all of the above. The Browns offensive identity is a balanced attack. Extremely balanced, in fact. TRich runs inside and catches passes too. Not just dumpoffs, but downfield passes. Weeden hits every part of the field from sideline-to-sideline and from scrimmage to the goal line.
This sunday, the Colts defense has to decide who it's going to stop. Last week, the Jets ran all over them. The kneejerk plan from local commentators is that the Browns should run the ball. That's obvious. It's also obvious to the Colts.
Normally they'd try to kitchen-sink the backfield, trying to keep TRich in to pass block or to beat him to the handoff, but Freeney is out, and Mathis isn't 100%. They'll still be agressive and try for inside pressure.
They'll be aggressive and try to stop the run first. They'll expect the Browns to try to run them over like the Jets did.
ANY NFL defense can stop the run if they commit to it. They use more tacklers than there are blockers. They run-blitze, and submarine. That's why every week I hear people saying "these guys can't stop the run so this team should run", and more often than not the run gets stuffed if the opponent does the obvious.
One thing that will always work is play-action. Oh yeah: "RUUNN!!!" Ok hold the blocker back, raise head, look for the ball oh SHIT it's a pass and I'm stopped dead ok try to bat it down--
Massequoi and Benjamin are back, upgrading the recievers. MoMass has proven to objective observers that he is even more reliable than he was as a rookie. The tight ends seem to be semi-healthy all at once for a change. Gordon has emerged as a terrifying deep threat, as well as dangerous on crosses and slants.
Weeden should have time and has many weapons now. While Rich Gannon was sleeping (and Adam Schein was comatose), the Browns recieving corps has rapidly evolved into a very competitive crew (improving game-by-game).
Once the Colts see that the Browns aren't doing the obvious and pull the safeties back to stop Gordon from scoring another touchdown, THEN run. Hit them where they aint!
What about Andrew Luck? Well, he's doing a great job for a rookie with average/young recievers. The Browns have to be careful to contain him, because he can run like a fast tight end and do major damage scrambling.
Some clod asked "where would the Browns be if they'd signed Reggie Wayne"? Well, they might be 2-4 instead of 1-5, and your next question should be "where would Cooper or Norwood be?". Fortunately, the Browns have Joe Haden, and Wayne is just one guy.
But he's a mere mortal. Weeden, despite his week one debacle, has completed over 60% of his passes. He's thrown more picks (I think), but is starting to pile up touchdowns. Right now, he might even be the better QB of the two.
The Browns defense should be aggressive. Vs. the super-mobile Vick, Jauron blitzed corners and safeties from the edge a lot. That was cool, because it came with built-in containment. Vick was chased to the short side of the field, where it was too conjested for him to try to run it.
For Luck, the same blitzes from the strong side would chase him to his left, making it harder for the right-hander to throw.
With the Browns new rotation of defensive tackles, it's been hard for teams to maintain a pocket. Hughes bull-rushes and Winn sheds and penetrates, and the Colts offensive line has not performed very well.
This team was winless last season after being contenders with Peyton Manning, but if you think this is the same team from two seasons ago, come out of your cave. Peyton's wide recievers are gone, and so are a bunch of other guys. This is a rebuilding team, and it's behind even the Cleveland Browns.
Go position-by-position, and the Browns have better talent nearly everywhere. Go ahead-you'll see.
It's impressive that they came from behind and knocked off the Packers, for sure. Clay Matthews aside, the Packers defense isn't nearly as good as it's offense. In the real world, it might not be as good as the Browns' defense!
Oh, I hear that snickering. I can see the eye-rolling. You're prejudiced. You're not objective. OFFENSE took the Packers to the Superbowl two seasons ago. The Packers' defense is pretty average! Ask yourself why you reacted like that. Are YOU a Memorex Moron too?
The Browns should KILL the Colts! Even the Packers' OFFENSE can't run the ball as well as the Browns' can, and isn't as balanced! Quit the eye-rolling--it's a fact.
You and your hero-worship! Ray Lewis's backup is probably better than he is! Weeden is just as good as Luck right now! Polumalu has never been the same since he got injured the first time! Kosar DID have diminished skills ever since he got his elbow tore up! Take off the excrement-colored glasses!
YOU STAND CORRECTED.
Your mind was made up about Brandon Weeden as soon as he displaced your Dreamboat Colt McCoy. Nothing he has done or will do will change your alleged thinking.
The offense sucked against the Eagles in game one, then was up and down for the next several games, and in the last two has started clicking on all cylinders. To you, it's the same as it was in game one.
Why else would you talk about Weeden under/overthrowing recievers "constantly"? And the not reacting well to pressure thing? That comes from an article you read before training camp even started. He's screwed up some, but the screw-ups usually weren't caused by pressure. Overall, he's performed well under pressure.
You fixate on buzzwords. Your word of the week is "identity". You ask Tony what is the offense's "identity". Is it Weeden throwing "ad infinitum", or is it TRich running?
For you, it just can't be both. But it is all of the above. The Browns offensive identity is a balanced attack. Extremely balanced, in fact. TRich runs inside and catches passes too. Not just dumpoffs, but downfield passes. Weeden hits every part of the field from sideline-to-sideline and from scrimmage to the goal line.
This sunday, the Colts defense has to decide who it's going to stop. Last week, the Jets ran all over them. The kneejerk plan from local commentators is that the Browns should run the ball. That's obvious. It's also obvious to the Colts.
Normally they'd try to kitchen-sink the backfield, trying to keep TRich in to pass block or to beat him to the handoff, but Freeney is out, and Mathis isn't 100%. They'll still be agressive and try for inside pressure.
They'll be aggressive and try to stop the run first. They'll expect the Browns to try to run them over like the Jets did.
ANY NFL defense can stop the run if they commit to it. They use more tacklers than there are blockers. They run-blitze, and submarine. That's why every week I hear people saying "these guys can't stop the run so this team should run", and more often than not the run gets stuffed if the opponent does the obvious.
One thing that will always work is play-action. Oh yeah: "RUUNN!!!" Ok hold the blocker back, raise head, look for the ball oh SHIT it's a pass and I'm stopped dead ok try to bat it down--
Massequoi and Benjamin are back, upgrading the recievers. MoMass has proven to objective observers that he is even more reliable than he was as a rookie. The tight ends seem to be semi-healthy all at once for a change. Gordon has emerged as a terrifying deep threat, as well as dangerous on crosses and slants.
Weeden should have time and has many weapons now. While Rich Gannon was sleeping (and Adam Schein was comatose), the Browns recieving corps has rapidly evolved into a very competitive crew (improving game-by-game).
Once the Colts see that the Browns aren't doing the obvious and pull the safeties back to stop Gordon from scoring another touchdown, THEN run. Hit them where they aint!
What about Andrew Luck? Well, he's doing a great job for a rookie with average/young recievers. The Browns have to be careful to contain him, because he can run like a fast tight end and do major damage scrambling.
Some clod asked "where would the Browns be if they'd signed Reggie Wayne"? Well, they might be 2-4 instead of 1-5, and your next question should be "where would Cooper or Norwood be?". Fortunately, the Browns have Joe Haden, and Wayne is just one guy.
But he's a mere mortal. Weeden, despite his week one debacle, has completed over 60% of his passes. He's thrown more picks (I think), but is starting to pile up touchdowns. Right now, he might even be the better QB of the two.
The Browns defense should be aggressive. Vs. the super-mobile Vick, Jauron blitzed corners and safeties from the edge a lot. That was cool, because it came with built-in containment. Vick was chased to the short side of the field, where it was too conjested for him to try to run it.
For Luck, the same blitzes from the strong side would chase him to his left, making it harder for the right-hander to throw.
With the Browns new rotation of defensive tackles, it's been hard for teams to maintain a pocket. Hughes bull-rushes and Winn sheds and penetrates, and the Colts offensive line has not performed very well.
This team was winless last season after being contenders with Peyton Manning, but if you think this is the same team from two seasons ago, come out of your cave. Peyton's wide recievers are gone, and so are a bunch of other guys. This is a rebuilding team, and it's behind even the Cleveland Browns.
Go position-by-position, and the Browns have better talent nearly everywhere. Go ahead-you'll see.
It's impressive that they came from behind and knocked off the Packers, for sure. Clay Matthews aside, the Packers defense isn't nearly as good as it's offense. In the real world, it might not be as good as the Browns' defense!
Oh, I hear that snickering. I can see the eye-rolling. You're prejudiced. You're not objective. OFFENSE took the Packers to the Superbowl two seasons ago. The Packers' defense is pretty average! Ask yourself why you reacted like that. Are YOU a Memorex Moron too?
The Browns should KILL the Colts! Even the Packers' OFFENSE can't run the ball as well as the Browns' can, and isn't as balanced! Quit the eye-rolling--it's a fact.
You and your hero-worship! Ray Lewis's backup is probably better than he is! Weeden is just as good as Luck right now! Polumalu has never been the same since he got injured the first time! Kosar DID have diminished skills ever since he got his elbow tore up! Take off the excrement-colored glasses!
YOU STAND CORRECTED.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
As the Stomach Turns
Adam Schein remains convinced that Joe Banner will fire everybody. Schein is no fan of Tom Heckert. He is unimpressed with his personnel moves, except for Richardson, Weeden, Cameron, Gordon, Taylor, Haden, Ward...well there are several more stipulations--but other than that, Adam says Heckert has done a terrible job.
He cites the w/l record. I mean, any good personnel guy would have had this team contending for the Superbowl by year three. No excuses like new coaches or no offseason with new offensive and defensive systems-it's all Heckert's fault!
Adam hears Clevelanders talk about how close they've come vs. elite teams and says "I don't even know what that means". Yes, this is a difficult concept. Adam, it means that they have the talent to match up with those teams, but not the experience to close out a game. Adam--were you born and then started walking right away? Didn't you crawl around til you were four or so? DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
I mean, Heckert has mostly skipped the veteran free agent market. If the Browns had had another vedderrunn wide reciever, they might even be 2-4 by now, and could have dumped some dead weight, like Josh Cooper or Norwood! And how much better would Josh Gordon be if he was able to sit on the bench for his first season, and learn how to run correct routes and catch from the venerable Plaxico Burress or somebody?
Can't you just see Plaxico on the sidelines with Little and Gordon: "See you put this hand here, and this hand here, and the ball goes here--"?
Shein and Rich Gannon agree that Heckert is gone, because they heard somewhere that he and Banner "don't get along". I don't know what happened, but it sounds really serious, like Heckert parking in Banner's parking space or something. Or perhaps he disagreed with him once.
Yeah, you've got to be buds with everybody, or it can't work. A guy can be the best at what he does, but if he's not your bud, you've got to fire him. That's business 101.
Fortunately, per Heckert and Banner both, they like eachother fine. That's why the title of this is "As the Stomach Turns". The press is always looking for something to write a soap opera about, whether it's true or not.
And Gannon still can't mention Weeden without also mentioning his young recievers. Just now he said he really likes Weeden. This time he was actually able to NAME a couple of the recievers! That's great progress for Rich! He tossed in Schwartze, who he likes too. Wow!
My guess is that in the real world Shurmer is on the hot seat, but Heckert is not. It's not just the high round picks, but the undrafteds and low ones. The Gordon move? Like I said, if he has first-round talent, then he's worth next year's second, even if he doesn't play as a rookie. As it is, look at what they got!
Cooper (2 critical 3rd down catches vs Bengals), Norwood (9 catches vs. the Giants): undrafted. Roberts: undrafted. Hughes and Winn--do they look like dumb picks now?
What round was Benjamin drafted in? Seems like a pretty good deal! Remember Hardesty? Well yeah ok I thought that was dumb myself, but look at what he did to the Bengals!
Marecic? Ok you got me there, but this season he got Smelley! And anyway, NOBODY bats a thousand! Ground control to Utopians: Heckert is as good as it gets.
Unlike many of you, I'm rooting for Shurmer. His playcalling has now started chafing on me, too, but this youngest team is making steady progress, getting better each week. I also like that along with trying to run people over, they go deep as often as they can.
They'd better beat the Colts. I don't want to read or hear anything coming out of Cleveland (or from Schein) if they don't.
Gannon and Schein picked the Colts. Skipping Schein's default pick, Gannon picks the team that he feels has more stability. He cited the new ownership. He also mentioned the Colts' defense, which was embarrassed last week-getting run over. I guess this means they will stop TRich and Hardesty cold? Because they just made up their mind? And that Weeden can't take advantage of a stacked box?
But I respect an ex-Superbowl MVP, even if he avoids Browns game-tapes whenever possible. Unlike Adam, he at least thought about it for a few seconds.
He cites the w/l record. I mean, any good personnel guy would have had this team contending for the Superbowl by year three. No excuses like new coaches or no offseason with new offensive and defensive systems-it's all Heckert's fault!
Adam hears Clevelanders talk about how close they've come vs. elite teams and says "I don't even know what that means". Yes, this is a difficult concept. Adam, it means that they have the talent to match up with those teams, but not the experience to close out a game. Adam--were you born and then started walking right away? Didn't you crawl around til you were four or so? DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
I mean, Heckert has mostly skipped the veteran free agent market. If the Browns had had another vedderrunn wide reciever, they might even be 2-4 by now, and could have dumped some dead weight, like Josh Cooper or Norwood! And how much better would Josh Gordon be if he was able to sit on the bench for his first season, and learn how to run correct routes and catch from the venerable Plaxico Burress or somebody?
Can't you just see Plaxico on the sidelines with Little and Gordon: "See you put this hand here, and this hand here, and the ball goes here--"?
Shein and Rich Gannon agree that Heckert is gone, because they heard somewhere that he and Banner "don't get along". I don't know what happened, but it sounds really serious, like Heckert parking in Banner's parking space or something. Or perhaps he disagreed with him once.
Yeah, you've got to be buds with everybody, or it can't work. A guy can be the best at what he does, but if he's not your bud, you've got to fire him. That's business 101.
Fortunately, per Heckert and Banner both, they like eachother fine. That's why the title of this is "As the Stomach Turns". The press is always looking for something to write a soap opera about, whether it's true or not.
And Gannon still can't mention Weeden without also mentioning his young recievers. Just now he said he really likes Weeden. This time he was actually able to NAME a couple of the recievers! That's great progress for Rich! He tossed in Schwartze, who he likes too. Wow!
My guess is that in the real world Shurmer is on the hot seat, but Heckert is not. It's not just the high round picks, but the undrafteds and low ones. The Gordon move? Like I said, if he has first-round talent, then he's worth next year's second, even if he doesn't play as a rookie. As it is, look at what they got!
Cooper (2 critical 3rd down catches vs Bengals), Norwood (9 catches vs. the Giants): undrafted. Roberts: undrafted. Hughes and Winn--do they look like dumb picks now?
What round was Benjamin drafted in? Seems like a pretty good deal! Remember Hardesty? Well yeah ok I thought that was dumb myself, but look at what he did to the Bengals!
Marecic? Ok you got me there, but this season he got Smelley! And anyway, NOBODY bats a thousand! Ground control to Utopians: Heckert is as good as it gets.
Unlike many of you, I'm rooting for Shurmer. His playcalling has now started chafing on me, too, but this youngest team is making steady progress, getting better each week. I also like that along with trying to run people over, they go deep as often as they can.
They'd better beat the Colts. I don't want to read or hear anything coming out of Cleveland (or from Schein) if they don't.
Gannon and Schein picked the Colts. Skipping Schein's default pick, Gannon picks the team that he feels has more stability. He cited the new ownership. He also mentioned the Colts' defense, which was embarrassed last week-getting run over. I guess this means they will stop TRich and Hardesty cold? Because they just made up their mind? And that Weeden can't take advantage of a stacked box?
But I respect an ex-Superbowl MVP, even if he avoids Browns game-tapes whenever possible. Unlike Adam, he at least thought about it for a few seconds.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Thanks for Hardesty, Gordon, Cooper, and Weeden, Tom Heckert
Yeah we shoulda god a vedderrunn recievverr. Yeah that makes sense. Rent a geezer for a no-shot rebuilding season and kick Norwood or Cooper to the curb. Skip Gordon, right? Brilliant. Fire Heckert-genius!!!
Some of the posters I read either watched the wrong game, or else the wrong team in the right game. I think the majority of Weeden's passes came off play-fakes. It worked brilliantly, too! They were so scared of T-Rich, and then Hardesty, that the pass-rush froze, and some of the recievers were open by a mile.
It will keep working, too, even when defenses expect it. They still don't know it won't be a handoff, and unless they gamble or have a clear view of the exchange or fake they simply can't over-commit to a pass-rush. More experienced DB's react better in coverage, but passrushers can't.
Gordon proved that the last game wasn't a fluke. The Browns now have a blue-chip deep threat/number one--who can catch the damn ball!!!
Dalton did get too much time at times, and did throw for a ton of yards. A big chunk of that came on a huge catch-and-run by that huge tight end, and then after they'd fallen behind and abandoned the (unsuccessful/stuffed) run.
TJ Ward is good, not great. Usama Young is fast and a hitter, but totally blew that tackle, and knocked another tackler off him. Kolonich says he takes bad angles. Maybe Hagg is ready to resume starting. HE can tackle!
Why are you surprised that the young linebackers are so good? I mean, I told you a long time ago, right? Now it's beginning to start to occur to others that maybe Fujita should back up. Welcome to Commonsenseville!
Unfortunately, Fujita's neck injury probably spells the end for him. He's too old to come back from that. And it is unfortunate, because he is a leader and a great teacher for the young guys. Fortunately for me, though, he's a marxist so I don't feel so bad.
Next up: the Colts. Another beatable team! Weeden will be jazzed to face Luck. He thrives on this stuff. I'm sure that secretly he's thinking about showing everybody he's as good or better.
I admit that I don't think so...I'd love to have Luck or RG3 here, but Weeden is for sure in their class. He's not as mobile, but has the arm, touch, and accuracy. He can beat either of them. He HAS beaten both.
How 'bout Hardesty? I told you that if he's healthy he's an excellent back. He just hasn't been able to stay healthy, and has fumbled too much in the past.
I've had TRich's injury. I can see why he was ineffective after it happened, and am impressed by his toughness trying to play with it because it HHUUURRRTTTS!!!
I really hope they don't let him rush back too soon. It absolutely won't be healed in a week and every tackler will target it. Flack jackets restrict movement and don't prevent the ribs from compressing anyway. Don't let him make it worse.
I love the play on which Cameron fell down on purpose in order to get Crocker off him. Ok ok maybe not, but maybe they should fall down on purpose once in awhile!
Anyway, that was great because it showed how quickly Weeden can improvise; how quickly he spotted and attacked the weakness.
The whole team now seems to be thinking a lot less. They've mastered the system and read automaticly.
This offense never hesitates to go for the marbles, either. It's balanced and tough.
They should beat the Colts.
Some of the posters I read either watched the wrong game, or else the wrong team in the right game. I think the majority of Weeden's passes came off play-fakes. It worked brilliantly, too! They were so scared of T-Rich, and then Hardesty, that the pass-rush froze, and some of the recievers were open by a mile.
It will keep working, too, even when defenses expect it. They still don't know it won't be a handoff, and unless they gamble or have a clear view of the exchange or fake they simply can't over-commit to a pass-rush. More experienced DB's react better in coverage, but passrushers can't.
Gordon proved that the last game wasn't a fluke. The Browns now have a blue-chip deep threat/number one--who can catch the damn ball!!!
Dalton did get too much time at times, and did throw for a ton of yards. A big chunk of that came on a huge catch-and-run by that huge tight end, and then after they'd fallen behind and abandoned the (unsuccessful/stuffed) run.
TJ Ward is good, not great. Usama Young is fast and a hitter, but totally blew that tackle, and knocked another tackler off him. Kolonich says he takes bad angles. Maybe Hagg is ready to resume starting. HE can tackle!
Why are you surprised that the young linebackers are so good? I mean, I told you a long time ago, right? Now it's beginning to start to occur to others that maybe Fujita should back up. Welcome to Commonsenseville!
Unfortunately, Fujita's neck injury probably spells the end for him. He's too old to come back from that. And it is unfortunate, because he is a leader and a great teacher for the young guys. Fortunately for me, though, he's a marxist so I don't feel so bad.
Next up: the Colts. Another beatable team! Weeden will be jazzed to face Luck. He thrives on this stuff. I'm sure that secretly he's thinking about showing everybody he's as good or better.
I admit that I don't think so...I'd love to have Luck or RG3 here, but Weeden is for sure in their class. He's not as mobile, but has the arm, touch, and accuracy. He can beat either of them. He HAS beaten both.
How 'bout Hardesty? I told you that if he's healthy he's an excellent back. He just hasn't been able to stay healthy, and has fumbled too much in the past.
I've had TRich's injury. I can see why he was ineffective after it happened, and am impressed by his toughness trying to play with it because it HHUUURRRTTTS!!!
I really hope they don't let him rush back too soon. It absolutely won't be healed in a week and every tackler will target it. Flack jackets restrict movement and don't prevent the ribs from compressing anyway. Don't let him make it worse.
I love the play on which Cameron fell down on purpose in order to get Crocker off him. Ok ok maybe not, but maybe they should fall down on purpose once in awhile!
Anyway, that was great because it showed how quickly Weeden can improvise; how quickly he spotted and attacked the weakness.
The whole team now seems to be thinking a lot less. They've mastered the system and read automaticly.
This offense never hesitates to go for the marbles, either. It's balanced and tough.
They should beat the Colts.
Friday, October 12, 2012
I Saw Good Stuff
The biggest difference between the Superbowl champs and the youngest team in the NFL was experience. Not talent. The upstart put the champ on his heels early, but he clinched and survived. He waited for the upstart to make mistakes. And he did.
This is why boxing managers don't put talented rookies in with contenders out of the gate. Too bad there aren't any tomato cans in the NFL.
It really hurt the Browns a lot to lose both Jackson and Patterson, too.
Anyway, what I saw was Weeden connecting with Gordon for huge plays, and with Norwood for nine completions. Shurmer/Childress now have some elbow room if Braylon Little keeps dropping a third of his passes (like the one that went right through his hands. I'm starting to wonder if he doesn't have a neurological or vision issue).
The blocking on Richardson's 15-yard TD was textbook. That's exactly how it's supposed to work. Richardson was never touched. Any back on the roster could have scored.
Weeden's picks were inexcusable, as he admitted. But comparisons of him to D. Anderson are laughable. DA had a history of interceptions in college, whereas Weeden was fairly efficient. DA was a veteran backup before he ever got to Cleveland. Weeden is still an unschooled rookie. DA had trouble with accuracy and touch on short passes. Weeden is a complete passer.
They have a real shot against the Bengals. Jackson has returned, and so has Haden. Too bad Patterson won't. But at least with Haden on Green, the safeties will have more flexibility in coverage, so they might be able to reduce the damage the other recievers do, and slow down the run a little more.
The Bengals defense isn't as strong as other defenses they've faced, and the offense should be able to move the ball. I think of Schwartze now with some games under his belt, fresh off neutralizing two awesome passrushers, Gordon already looking like the scary guy I thought it would take another offseason to see, Cameron emerging, and what Weeden did to them last time.
Updated W/L prediction: 11-5.
This is why boxing managers don't put talented rookies in with contenders out of the gate. Too bad there aren't any tomato cans in the NFL.
It really hurt the Browns a lot to lose both Jackson and Patterson, too.
Anyway, what I saw was Weeden connecting with Gordon for huge plays, and with Norwood for nine completions. Shurmer/Childress now have some elbow room if Braylon Little keeps dropping a third of his passes (like the one that went right through his hands. I'm starting to wonder if he doesn't have a neurological or vision issue).
The blocking on Richardson's 15-yard TD was textbook. That's exactly how it's supposed to work. Richardson was never touched. Any back on the roster could have scored.
Weeden's picks were inexcusable, as he admitted. But comparisons of him to D. Anderson are laughable. DA had a history of interceptions in college, whereas Weeden was fairly efficient. DA was a veteran backup before he ever got to Cleveland. Weeden is still an unschooled rookie. DA had trouble with accuracy and touch on short passes. Weeden is a complete passer.
They have a real shot against the Bengals. Jackson has returned, and so has Haden. Too bad Patterson won't. But at least with Haden on Green, the safeties will have more flexibility in coverage, so they might be able to reduce the damage the other recievers do, and slow down the run a little more.
The Bengals defense isn't as strong as other defenses they've faced, and the offense should be able to move the ball. I think of Schwartze now with some games under his belt, fresh off neutralizing two awesome passrushers, Gordon already looking like the scary guy I thought it would take another offseason to see, Cameron emerging, and what Weeden did to them last time.
Updated W/L prediction: 11-5.
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