We can always count on John Dorsey to make a splash in the offseason.
Pat Kirwan kinda thinks the Giants got the better of this deal. Pat says that Olivier Vernon never lived up to his contract as a passrusher, and that he needs an elite counterpart to open things up for him.
I respect Pat's opinion, but have a few "moneyball" counterpoints:
1: Vernon got 7 sacks in 11 games in 2018. Pat could have mentioned Olivier's durability, but did not.
1a: Vernon is an edge-rusher, and not a guard. After the dust settles after this off-season, 15 mil for PFF's 8th-ranked edge-rusher will be cheap. He is only 28, and will get even cheaper in 2020.
2: Kirwan ignored the exchange of draft picks.
3: IF Dorsey (and a bunch of other scouts) are right about Austin Corbett, there shouldn't be a severe disruption initially (Corbett is no longer a rookie).
The Browns offensive line budget just got around 7 mil cheaper, and younger...
(This gets complex: Review 2a.)
Both teams win here. I respectfully disagree with Pat Kirwan.
Zeroing back in on the Browns, Olivier Vernon has an 86.something grade in PFF overall.
I can't dig deeper right now, but this guy isn't new to me, and I'm pretty sure he's still a total-package defender who will stop the run as well as rush the passer.
He was actually productive with the Giants, but missed games due to injury. Gettleman needed to dump his 15 mil salary, and had an acute need to upgrade his interior pass-protection, so John Dorsey (his good freind by the way) "pounced".
Note to Pat Kirwan: Vernon is here to be part of a rotation, as Rodney Ogbahfield is still here, and Wilks might revive him as a passrusher too.
Note ON Kirwan: He said "okay you have Garrett, Ogbah, and Vernon. Are you telling me that one of these guys is on the sidelines on third and long?"
His broadcast partner Jim Miller was quick to try to bail him out, talking about the "rotation", and comparing that to several teams.
I prefer to think that Pat Kirwan is just kinda still anti-Browns, and isn't demented or senile or whatever...
Nevermind.
Anyway Olivier Vernon IS an upgrade, both as an EDGE guy and as a legitimate defensive end.
Dorsey gave up 5 of the 9 mil he got back from Jamie Collins, but did address a position of need without (assuming he was right about Corbett) sacrificing much.
Still with me here? Long-term, Corbett has 3 years left on his rookie contract, and if he is as good as Dorsey thinks he is, he'll have a "Zeitler" at a 75% discount for three years.
I know-I get a headache myself thinking about this stuff.
More immediately, Dorsey has checked a box, ahead of not only the draft, but free agency.
"Edge" is no longer a priority (if it ever was; see earlier posts).
Dorsey will listen to trade offers for Duke Johnson as well ahead of free agency, as he plays (another note to Pat Kirwan) "moneyball" ha ha!
Anyway, I'm impressed as hell by John Dorsey so far.
I haven't scraped the surface of how smart he has been in 2019 yet, but it's plus 9.5 mil, minus 15 mil, plus 10 mil, a very good defensive end for an elite guard, a 20-slot draft-pick jump...
I might get deeper into that in my next post, but it will sound all analytical-like, so...
Okbye
No wait: In re the whole OBJ trade fabrication/fantasy, here is something you should see: The source is errah...somebody related to the Giants.
And this nameless person has Gettleman laughing at Zeitler, Ogbah, and another player (read Duke Johnson) for OBJ.
Bullshit. Even if the offer was ever made in the first place, Gettleman would not laugh at it.
No sane person would. I partly doubt that this offer was ever actually made because Gettleman might have jumped on it instantly!
Writers just make stuff up. You can tell, when they cite a nameless "insider" (ie the writer himself) telling you that Gettleman "laughed at" an offer like that.
The offer might never have been made in the first place. On the off-chance it was, Gettleman would not "laugh at" it, even if he and Dorsey weren't BFF's.
This writer probably thinks that OBJ is worth multiple first round picks and stuff...
Ah crap nevermind. You should be getting it by now.
Okbye.
Oops sorry I forgot: Vernon will play defensive END here. Not linebacker.
I'm shocked that I'm the only one that notices these "minor details"...
Okbye (and I really mean it this time)
Friday, March 8, 2019
Thursday, March 7, 2019
John Dorsey in Pursuit of Tyrann Mathieau! Honest! Per SOURCES
How most rumors start:
A guy like me (except not as smart or as humble) says that it would be a good idea if John Dorsey offered a couple players to the Giants for OBJ.
Somebody with a prettier resume and better connections reads this, and as usual pretends it's his idea. He spices it up a little by naming Zeitler (since Dorsey drafted Corbett), and says "according to sources".
Browns players read this and go nuts on Twitter (especially Landry...something wrong with that guy...)
Gettleman didn't say anything. Dorsey didn't say anything. But here we go: John Dorsey offered Zeitler, Ogbah, and another player, and Gettleman "laughed" at the offer. (Oh yeah Giants Beat writerguessing reporting that.)
Probably not.
It is something Dorsey might try, so I can't dismiss it, but man: Do you see how many people are accepting this whole story as fact? This should scare the hell out of you!
Tyrell Williams is a likely free agent target for the Browns, who could use one extra-tall, fast outside receiver, but DO NOT NEED A FOURTH SLOT RECEIVER DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
And the Browns have a good chance of landing him, because he saw what Monken did in Tampa Bay last season, and what Baker Mayfield is all about.
The Raiders are also no doubt after him, but Gruden is a West Coast offense guy. Williams could function in that scheme, but could prosper in Monkens' vertical scheme (especially with Landry to take heat off him).
9-12 mil/year over 3 seasons is the estimate of what Williams would cost...
That's probably what Perriman's agent (Drew Rosenhaus) is demanding. Like he did with Terrelle Pryor...
At least Pryor had one complete, pretty good season. Perriman needs to get real, or he'll blow this. In half a season, he hasn't quite proven that he is a superstar after three years of bust-dom just yet.
Ok let's see if this turns into a rumor:
Tyrann-Mathieu is a free agent who John Dorsey might go after. The Honey Badger was a cornerback in college, but the Texans turned the little (5'9") shrimp into a safety, and it worked.
(Interestingly, the backup Browns free safety last season was microbe Briean Boddy-Calhoun, so there is a clear trend towards free safeties with odd names in the NFL).
Anyway, Mathieau wouldn't be here as a safety, but just as a utility defensive back.
He fits the Wilks coverage scheme perfectly, as he excels in off-man and zone coverage. He's an opportunist who jumps routes and gets turnovers, and he tackles well.
The market for cornerbacks this season will be depressed due to a ton of draftable talent, and a heavy bias towards taller guys. Dorsey could lock Mathieau up affordably, and enhance depth at every back end position except strong safety with a savvy, seasoned veteran.
He's not an ideal press/man starter outside, but Wilks, as I've repeatedly repeated, doesn't require those guys in his scheme. Wilks would simply love to have Tyrann around to fill in and play in most nickels and every dime.
Now let's see if, by monday, there's a rumor that John Dorsey is about to sign Tyrann Mathieau...according to "league sources".
If so, now you people know I'm a league source -blush-blush-
This overly Packers-centric article asserts that the Pack should try to trade for Browns guard Kevin Zeitler, since Dorsey might have him on the block due to his pick Austin Corbett.
Everything this guy wrote made sense until the writer says that the Packers might consider offering as much as their third round pick for a top five overall and top three pass-protecting guard with three years left on his contract in his prime.
You will never catch me doing this. When I consider a potential trade, I consider it from both sides.
This (otherwise smart) Packers writer assumes that Dorsey wants to get rid of Zeitler so bad that he'll take chump-change for him.
My fellow Browns fans instantly see how dumb this is. It's like me saying that the Packers second-round pick would be a good starting point for Zeitler...which...actually is about right!
Never assume leverage not in evidence, whoever you root for.
Gotta toss this in here: Reggie Bush is a smart guy. He thinks the Browns should win the AFC North in 2019. If you read this Blog, you know why, but I'm pretty sure that Reggie Bush is not one of my Intellectual-Property (scumbag) raiders.
Scott Petrak reports that Texans cornerback Kevin Johnson is coming for a visit, and this is not a rumor (how refreshing!!!)
Johnson was a stud first round pick, but (per Scott) has kept getting injured so far, and is getting dumped because he'd cost the Texans 9 mil against their cap.
This is aDepodesta Dorsey thing: Johnson has almost zero leverage, and (especially in this market) will have to sign for peanuts.
But he was a first round pick for reasons, and if his injuries haven't undermined him physically, and he can remain healthy for once, he has a very high cieling.
By the way, did you know that "Buy low, sell high" ismoneyball analytics? Anybody home?
Terry Pluto "scribbled" a near masterpiece this time, as he addressed the available free agent linebackers in depth.
Unfortunately, Terry tells us to "keep an eye on" KC's 30 year old OLB Justin Houston because he's a scary passrusher.
G E N A R D A V E R Y. FOUR-THREE. STEVE WILKS WHY CAN'T YOU U N D E R S T A N D?
Justin Houston is actually a good all-around linebacker who should be cheap, so Dorsey might sign him...but why are these pundits prioritizing...
You guys don't need to hear this, but suffice it to say that much of what you read (elsewhere) is clueless bullcrap...
Okbye.
This just in: Blind squirrel Jeff Risdon says that under Steve Wilks, Jabrill Peppers and Derrick Kindred should play more, along with Rodney Averyfield, and Jamie Collins may not be "replaced" at all.
Of course, Jeff has a much, much higher opinion of Christian Kirksey than PFF has, and assumes that Dorsey won't try to upgrade linebacker at all, but...
Well Jeff was more than half-right this time.
That's progress!
A guy like me (except not as smart or as humble) says that it would be a good idea if John Dorsey offered a couple players to the Giants for OBJ.
Somebody with a prettier resume and better connections reads this, and as usual pretends it's his idea. He spices it up a little by naming Zeitler (since Dorsey drafted Corbett), and says "according to sources".
Browns players read this and go nuts on Twitter (especially Landry...something wrong with that guy...)
Gettleman didn't say anything. Dorsey didn't say anything. But here we go: John Dorsey offered Zeitler, Ogbah, and another player, and Gettleman "laughed" at the offer. (Oh yeah Giants Beat writer
Probably not.
It is something Dorsey might try, so I can't dismiss it, but man: Do you see how many people are accepting this whole story as fact? This should scare the hell out of you!
Tyrell Williams is a likely free agent target for the Browns, who could use one extra-tall, fast outside receiver, but DO NOT NEED A FOURTH SLOT RECEIVER DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
And the Browns have a good chance of landing him, because he saw what Monken did in Tampa Bay last season, and what Baker Mayfield is all about.
The Raiders are also no doubt after him, but Gruden is a West Coast offense guy. Williams could function in that scheme, but could prosper in Monkens' vertical scheme (especially with Landry to take heat off him).
9-12 mil/year over 3 seasons is the estimate of what Williams would cost...
That's probably what Perriman's agent (Drew Rosenhaus) is demanding. Like he did with Terrelle Pryor...
At least Pryor had one complete, pretty good season. Perriman needs to get real, or he'll blow this. In half a season, he hasn't quite proven that he is a superstar after three years of bust-dom just yet.
Ok let's see if this turns into a rumor:
Tyrann-Mathieu is a free agent who John Dorsey might go after. The Honey Badger was a cornerback in college, but the Texans turned the little (5'9") shrimp into a safety, and it worked.
(Interestingly, the backup Browns free safety last season was microbe Briean Boddy-Calhoun, so there is a clear trend towards free safeties with odd names in the NFL).
Anyway, Mathieau wouldn't be here as a safety, but just as a utility defensive back.
He fits the Wilks coverage scheme perfectly, as he excels in off-man and zone coverage. He's an opportunist who jumps routes and gets turnovers, and he tackles well.
The market for cornerbacks this season will be depressed due to a ton of draftable talent, and a heavy bias towards taller guys. Dorsey could lock Mathieau up affordably, and enhance depth at every back end position except strong safety with a savvy, seasoned veteran.
He's not an ideal press/man starter outside, but Wilks, as I've repeatedly repeated, doesn't require those guys in his scheme. Wilks would simply love to have Tyrann around to fill in and play in most nickels and every dime.
Now let's see if, by monday, there's a rumor that John Dorsey is about to sign Tyrann Mathieau...according to "league sources".
If so, now you people know I'm a league source -blush-blush-
This overly Packers-centric article asserts that the Pack should try to trade for Browns guard Kevin Zeitler, since Dorsey might have him on the block due to his pick Austin Corbett.
Everything this guy wrote made sense until the writer says that the Packers might consider offering as much as their third round pick for a top five overall and top three pass-protecting guard with three years left on his contract in his prime.
You will never catch me doing this. When I consider a potential trade, I consider it from both sides.
This (otherwise smart) Packers writer assumes that Dorsey wants to get rid of Zeitler so bad that he'll take chump-change for him.
My fellow Browns fans instantly see how dumb this is. It's like me saying that the Packers second-round pick would be a good starting point for Zeitler...which...actually is about right!
Never assume leverage not in evidence, whoever you root for.
Gotta toss this in here: Reggie Bush is a smart guy. He thinks the Browns should win the AFC North in 2019. If you read this Blog, you know why, but I'm pretty sure that Reggie Bush is not one of my Intellectual-Property (scumbag) raiders.
Scott Petrak reports that Texans cornerback Kevin Johnson is coming for a visit, and this is not a rumor (how refreshing!!!)
Johnson was a stud first round pick, but (per Scott) has kept getting injured so far, and is getting dumped because he'd cost the Texans 9 mil against their cap.
This is a
But he was a first round pick for reasons, and if his injuries haven't undermined him physically, and he can remain healthy for once, he has a very high cieling.
By the way, did you know that "Buy low, sell high" is
Terry Pluto "scribbled" a near masterpiece this time, as he addressed the available free agent linebackers in depth.
Unfortunately, Terry tells us to "keep an eye on" KC's 30 year old OLB Justin Houston because he's a scary passrusher.
G E N A R D A V E R Y. FOUR-THREE. STEVE WILKS WHY CAN'T YOU U N D E R S T A N D?
Justin Houston is actually a good all-around linebacker who should be cheap, so Dorsey might sign him...but why are these pundits prioritizing...
You guys don't need to hear this, but suffice it to say that much of what you read (elsewhere) is clueless bullcrap...
Okbye.
This just in: Blind squirrel Jeff Risdon says that under Steve Wilks, Jabrill Peppers and Derrick Kindred should play more, along with Rodney Averyfield, and Jamie Collins may not be "replaced" at all.
Of course, Jeff has a much, much higher opinion of Christian Kirksey than PFF has, and assumes that Dorsey won't try to upgrade linebacker at all, but...
Well Jeff was more than half-right this time.
That's progress!
Monday, March 4, 2019
Cleveland Browns Reality 101: What John Dorsey Will Do. And dumbassitude, as usual.
Draftable players who may actually offer value to the 2019 Browns at pick 17 (in no particular order):
Defensive Tackles: Defensive Ends:
1: Quinnen Williams. 1: Bosa
2: Ed Oliver. 2: Josh Allen
3: Christian Wilkins. 3: Clelin Farrell
4: Rashan Gary. 4: Montez Sweat
Linebackers: Other:
1: Devin White. D K Metcalf
2: Devin Bush
Guys who should help some of these players drop closer to 17:
1: Kyler Murray
2: Baker Murray
3: Jachai Polite
4: T J Hockenson
Other possibles: Greedy Williams, Dwayne Haskins, Jonah Williams.
Naturally, there are tons of variables, but with these 18 guys, it looks likely that one of the top ten targets on this list should make it to 17.
Naturally, we can't know how John Dorsey rates and ranks these players. Who the hell (besides Waittilnextyear) saw the Denzel Ward pick coming?
Injured DT Jeffery Simmons could sneak in here somewhere, but I kinda doubt it, given the "ready to play" depth at that position.
We can find clues to Dorsey's process, as he has repeatedly cited analytical data--(something a lot of people still don't get.)
While John Dorsey has proven himself a top evaluator, he will listen to Paul DePodesta.
So here are a few things he'll have to consider:
D K Metcalf was this year's version of Saquon Barkley, except for that 7.38 3-cone drill, which was really bad.
The 3-cone tests change-of-direction, agility, and balance. It's very important for Defensive backs and wide receivers (even moreso than for running backs).
A lot of fans want to ignore that lousy three-cone, as if the other workouts counterbalanced it, but it doesn't work that way.
People have compared Metcalf to David Boston, but I have another one for you: Terrelle Pryor.
Metcalf has freaky straight-line speed and explosion, and outclassed college defensive backs on vertical routes and comebacks, but he may not be a complete wide receiver.
As we learned from Jake Burns, the route concepts Monken likes to run require full-spectrum receivers, as there are a lot of in-cuts and digs underneath soft or umbrella coverages.
More generally, defenses quickly figure out if a guy lacks "shake", and adjust their coverage to force him to break in or outside, and (importantly) their more agile defensive backs can beat them to the punch unless the pass is absolutely perfect--and even then knock or pry it loose.
Montez Sweat took a huge jump up the EDGE board with his amazing 4.41 40 (at 6'6", 266 lbs😮!)
I guess Nick Nick Bosa will remain all there is and there aint no more no matter what, but wow...just...wow.
It's too bad that niether of these guys will make it to 17.
What's that? Why don't I have Polite on the top list? Because he's not a defensive END, and the Browns already have Genard Avery.
Chris Trapasso begs to differ with the Madding Crowd on the current crop of draftable linebackers, as (at least prior to these workouts), he ranked Ben Burr-Kirvin the highest, even though he's really more like a slightly oversized strong safety.
Chris is in the micro-minority here, and Burr-Kirvin shouldn't be under consideration at 17th overall--but Trapasso made a couple good points:
Chris would prefer smaller, quicker linebackers in the modern NFL, as there is a premium on range and coverage skills.
Scouting reports on Burr-Kirvin are mixed, but I kinda think Trapasso and a certain other guy are more fair and accurate:
The guy has great instincts, beats big lumbering blockers to their spots (and eludes them), can shed blocks when he can't do that, and might still be there in the second round.
Daniel Jeremiah has some comments on front seven guys after combine day 3, and likes Burr-Kirvin a lot himself.
Jake Burns doesn't think the Browns will take a linebacker in the first round, and lists the veteran free agent linebackers he thinks John Dorsey will be chasing shortly.
Eagle Jordan Hicks is Jake's top guy, and Dorsey has a shot at him. The Browns are coming back, have openings at linebacker, and can outbid everybody.
But this is what John Dorsey really meant when he said it wasn't time to go nuts overpaying free agents:
Pat Kirwan or Gil Brandt will tell you this: A smart GM sets the maximum price he will pay for a player, and when somebody else goes crazy and pays more, lets that team win.
I remember the whole RGIII thing. Mike Holmgren barely lost a bidding war to move up and draft Robert Griffin III.
Nearly every other fan in Cleveland was bashing Holmgren for not offering even more. I was furious that he offered as much as he had!!!
I can't recall all of what the Redskins surrendered, but think it started with three first round draft picks, included at least one second rounder, and more picks as well.
...and you people bashed Holmgren for not topping that offer? Wow. I'd give that up for Superman (I mean the guy from Krypton), but no other mere human being...you kidding me?
And wow--amazing--the Redskins haven't been very good! Hmmm....
But I digress: C J Mosely and Anthony Barr close out his top tier, but Mosely might get franchise tagged. Barr might work out.
Jake's other guys have warts or are 30, but could be excellent (and affordable) "band aids" who can still kick ass in 2019.
And I concur with Jake: Dorsey should sign at least one (or two) good veteran linebackers prior to the draft...and probably release Jamie Collins, who probably won't accept a pay-cut.
Jake (or somebody else) suggested that the Steve Wilks defense might help Christian Kirksey not suck anymore. That's quite possible, since Kirksey was better before Gregg Williams got here.
I hope so, because he's a leader and a terrific guy. And it goes without saying that he tackles better than Joe Schobert or Jamie Collins...
By the way, I expect Schobert to improve in that department. He has no relationship with Steve Wilks, and he doesn't cost a lot of money.
Wilks doesn't require a "Field General" like Gregg Williams did, and if Joe Schobert keeps missing tackles, he'll find himself relegated to coverage on passing downs.
And he knows it. If I could, I'd bet on Joe Schobert ranking in the top half in missed tackles in 2019.
I have to get back to the secret weapon Steve Wilks has inheritted: Genard Avery:
My regulars can skip this redundantly repetitive paragraph, but this 6', 255 lb powerlifting champ is the quickest and fastest Browns' linebacker (including Jamie Collins), and can out-quick and out-sprint most of the guys he outweighs by 15 lbs. He is a passrusher (inside or outside), but he's also a real 4-3 linebacker who can do everything else required of him.
(Sorry for the extra-long paragraph there, but I'm a man of my word.)
Here's a painful update from Mary Kay Cabbott:
"Rumors" or "buzz" about other teams' interest in Duke Johnson may well originate from guys like me, but it's probably valid.
Mary Kay thinks that John Dorsey's decision to trade (or not to trade) Duke depends on the length of Kareem Hunt's suspension.
WRONG. Dontrell Hilliard is similar to Duke Johnson, except taller, and inevitably bigger.
Duke had to be frustrated at his lack of opportunities last season, but we can't really fault Freddie Kitchens for that, considering how effective Nick Chubb was, and how effective Freddie's two-tight end offenses were.
Kareem Hunt will be suspended for a MINIMUM of eight games, and possibly for the entire season, but it doesn't matter that much to Duke Johnson, who is a whole different kind of player.
Hunt is like Chubb. Not like Duke (and Hilliard). Is any of this sinking in yet? Nor is a "third down back" mandatory in 2019! Who is Todd Gurley's replacement on third down WAKE UP!
If somebody offers John Dorsey a third round pick (or more) for Duke Johnson, he's probably gone.
Nothing personal. In fact, Duke Johnson does deserve a better opportunity than Kitchens and Monken can give him in the schemes they'll be running here.
In fact, a month ago, Peter Smith mocked Iowa TE T J Hockenson to the Browns at 17th overall, and I got it.
I get it more now that my trusted experts (and John Dorsey himself) have knocked David Njoku for his run-blocking (or lack thereof).
Hockenson is a real tight end who takes his blocking seriously.
As-is, Darren Fells is here to block, but he's 33 and (per PFF) didn't block very well in 2018.
Hockenson would kick Fells to third string (or the curb), because he's a blocker and a weapon.
We know Freddie liked two tight ends, but you people might not know yet that so might Monken.
It doesn't matter who Monken's four receivers are; two of them can be tight ends no problem! (No honest! I swear! Only one outside deep threat required!)
I really hope that John Dorsey can land at least one veteran free agent stud defensive lineman ahead of the draft, because Hockenson could be there at 17.
In this offseason, Dorsey can upgrade the front seven on defense through free agency and the middle/late rounds...that's money in the bank.
You people don't get some of this, however--especially those of you proclaiming an urgent need for a Julio Jones-like "big target" for possibly the most accurate quarterback in the NFL:
Freddie Kitchens used "big people" a lot in 2018 (ie extra tight ends and/or running backs).
New Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken will NOT change this, and the two coach's offensive systems do NOT contradict eachother, provided the tight ends and running backs are effective receivers out of the slot.
And you people who think this extremely accurate quarterback needs a "big target" crutch-receiver need to contemplate a Njoku and a Hockenson running around out there intermediate or deep, but wait: think HARDER:
Who on this planet can (legally) prevent either of these guys from catching a pinpoint pass? Which TWO guys?
Peter Smith is a freaking genius.
You people need to stay with me a tad longer:
The two tight ends in 2018 helped both offensive tackles out in pass protection with chip-blocks, and that barely inhibited their effectiveness as receivers (this is an "analytics" thing...sorry to break it to you so bluntly).
In terms of run-blocking, the tight ends sealed the edges, cut off backside pursuit, and knocked out linebackers and little guys downfield.
I still think Seth DeValve is massively underrated, but he's probably never going to be much of an in-line blocker. He's too short, period.
Anyway, you people need to imagine what Baker Mayfield and Nick Chubb could do with Njoku and Hockenson blocking and hollering "hit me I'm open!"
I'm kind of assuming that Njoku will react as expected to John Dorsey's very public challenge to start BLOCKING, because Njoku has the tools to do that.
You people need to update your databases:
Long story short: The "arms race" in the NFL has set up two tight end and two running back offenses for success, and (in general) smashmouth running is going to work.
You people don't look ahead, because most of you are Memorex Morons. Everybody copies the Patriots, and it works for one season, but one season later, well...there the Pats are again, a step ahead, and in the Superbowl.
...and everybody copies them again. And again. And again.
I think the Browns might have got lucky with Freddie Kitchens. Freddie went nuts with all this exotic stuff he pulled in 2018, but in doing this, he proved to me that he is NOT a copycat, and IS creative and original.
It would be a huge leap to compare Freddie Kitchens to Bill Bellichick at this point, but I gotta say:
So far, so good!
Okbye.
Defensive Tackles: Defensive Ends:
1: Quinnen Williams. 1: Bosa
2: Ed Oliver. 2: Josh Allen
3: Christian Wilkins. 3: Clelin Farrell
4: Rashan Gary. 4: Montez Sweat
Linebackers: Other:
1: Devin White. D K Metcalf
2: Devin Bush
Guys who should help some of these players drop closer to 17:
1: Kyler Murray
2: Baker Murray
3: Jachai Polite
4: T J Hockenson
Other possibles: Greedy Williams, Dwayne Haskins, Jonah Williams.
Naturally, there are tons of variables, but with these 18 guys, it looks likely that one of the top ten targets on this list should make it to 17.
Naturally, we can't know how John Dorsey rates and ranks these players. Who the hell (besides Waittilnextyear) saw the Denzel Ward pick coming?
Injured DT Jeffery Simmons could sneak in here somewhere, but I kinda doubt it, given the "ready to play" depth at that position.
We can find clues to Dorsey's process, as he has repeatedly cited analytical data--(something a lot of people still don't get.)
While John Dorsey has proven himself a top evaluator, he will listen to Paul DePodesta.
So here are a few things he'll have to consider:
D K Metcalf was this year's version of Saquon Barkley, except for that 7.38 3-cone drill, which was really bad.
The 3-cone tests change-of-direction, agility, and balance. It's very important for Defensive backs and wide receivers (even moreso than for running backs).
A lot of fans want to ignore that lousy three-cone, as if the other workouts counterbalanced it, but it doesn't work that way.
People have compared Metcalf to David Boston, but I have another one for you: Terrelle Pryor.
Metcalf has freaky straight-line speed and explosion, and outclassed college defensive backs on vertical routes and comebacks, but he may not be a complete wide receiver.
As we learned from Jake Burns, the route concepts Monken likes to run require full-spectrum receivers, as there are a lot of in-cuts and digs underneath soft or umbrella coverages.
More generally, defenses quickly figure out if a guy lacks "shake", and adjust their coverage to force him to break in or outside, and (importantly) their more agile defensive backs can beat them to the punch unless the pass is absolutely perfect--and even then knock or pry it loose.
Montez Sweat took a huge jump up the EDGE board with his amazing 4.41 40 (at 6'6", 266 lbs😮!)
I guess Nick Nick Bosa will remain all there is and there aint no more no matter what, but wow...just...wow.
It's too bad that niether of these guys will make it to 17.
What's that? Why don't I have Polite on the top list? Because he's not a defensive END, and the Browns already have Genard Avery.
Chris Trapasso begs to differ with the Madding Crowd on the current crop of draftable linebackers, as (at least prior to these workouts), he ranked Ben Burr-Kirvin the highest, even though he's really more like a slightly oversized strong safety.
Chris is in the micro-minority here, and Burr-Kirvin shouldn't be under consideration at 17th overall--but Trapasso made a couple good points:
Chris would prefer smaller, quicker linebackers in the modern NFL, as there is a premium on range and coverage skills.
Scouting reports on Burr-Kirvin are mixed, but I kinda think Trapasso and a certain other guy are more fair and accurate:
The guy has great instincts, beats big lumbering blockers to their spots (and eludes them), can shed blocks when he can't do that, and might still be there in the second round.
Daniel Jeremiah has some comments on front seven guys after combine day 3, and likes Burr-Kirvin a lot himself.
Jake Burns doesn't think the Browns will take a linebacker in the first round, and lists the veteran free agent linebackers he thinks John Dorsey will be chasing shortly.
Eagle Jordan Hicks is Jake's top guy, and Dorsey has a shot at him. The Browns are coming back, have openings at linebacker, and can outbid everybody.
But this is what John Dorsey really meant when he said it wasn't time to go nuts overpaying free agents:
Pat Kirwan or Gil Brandt will tell you this: A smart GM sets the maximum price he will pay for a player, and when somebody else goes crazy and pays more, lets that team win.
I remember the whole RGIII thing. Mike Holmgren barely lost a bidding war to move up and draft Robert Griffin III.
Nearly every other fan in Cleveland was bashing Holmgren for not offering even more. I was furious that he offered as much as he had!!!
I can't recall all of what the Redskins surrendered, but think it started with three first round draft picks, included at least one second rounder, and more picks as well.
...and you people bashed Holmgren for not topping that offer? Wow. I'd give that up for Superman (I mean the guy from Krypton), but no other mere human being...you kidding me?
And wow--amazing--the Redskins haven't been very good! Hmmm....
But I digress: C J Mosely and Anthony Barr close out his top tier, but Mosely might get franchise tagged. Barr might work out.
Jake's other guys have warts or are 30, but could be excellent (and affordable) "band aids" who can still kick ass in 2019.
And I concur with Jake: Dorsey should sign at least one (or two) good veteran linebackers prior to the draft...and probably release Jamie Collins, who probably won't accept a pay-cut.
Jake (or somebody else) suggested that the Steve Wilks defense might help Christian Kirksey not suck anymore. That's quite possible, since Kirksey was better before Gregg Williams got here.
I hope so, because he's a leader and a terrific guy. And it goes without saying that he tackles better than Joe Schobert or Jamie Collins...
By the way, I expect Schobert to improve in that department. He has no relationship with Steve Wilks, and he doesn't cost a lot of money.
Wilks doesn't require a "Field General" like Gregg Williams did, and if Joe Schobert keeps missing tackles, he'll find himself relegated to coverage on passing downs.
And he knows it. If I could, I'd bet on Joe Schobert ranking in the top half in missed tackles in 2019.
I have to get back to the secret weapon Steve Wilks has inheritted: Genard Avery:
My regulars can skip this redundantly repetitive paragraph, but this 6', 255 lb powerlifting champ is the quickest and fastest Browns' linebacker (including Jamie Collins), and can out-quick and out-sprint most of the guys he outweighs by 15 lbs. He is a passrusher (inside or outside), but he's also a real 4-3 linebacker who can do everything else required of him.
(Sorry for the extra-long paragraph there, but I'm a man of my word.)
Here's a painful update from Mary Kay Cabbott:
"Rumors" or "buzz" about other teams' interest in Duke Johnson may well originate from guys like me, but it's probably valid.
Mary Kay thinks that John Dorsey's decision to trade (or not to trade) Duke depends on the length of Kareem Hunt's suspension.
WRONG. Dontrell Hilliard is similar to Duke Johnson, except taller, and inevitably bigger.
Duke had to be frustrated at his lack of opportunities last season, but we can't really fault Freddie Kitchens for that, considering how effective Nick Chubb was, and how effective Freddie's two-tight end offenses were.
Kareem Hunt will be suspended for a MINIMUM of eight games, and possibly for the entire season, but it doesn't matter that much to Duke Johnson, who is a whole different kind of player.
Hunt is like Chubb. Not like Duke (and Hilliard). Is any of this sinking in yet? Nor is a "third down back" mandatory in 2019! Who is Todd Gurley's replacement on third down WAKE UP!
If somebody offers John Dorsey a third round pick (or more) for Duke Johnson, he's probably gone.
Nothing personal. In fact, Duke Johnson does deserve a better opportunity than Kitchens and Monken can give him in the schemes they'll be running here.
In fact, a month ago, Peter Smith mocked Iowa TE T J Hockenson to the Browns at 17th overall, and I got it.
I get it more now that my trusted experts (and John Dorsey himself) have knocked David Njoku for his run-blocking (or lack thereof).
Hockenson is a real tight end who takes his blocking seriously.
As-is, Darren Fells is here to block, but he's 33 and (per PFF) didn't block very well in 2018.
Hockenson would kick Fells to third string (or the curb), because he's a blocker and a weapon.
We know Freddie liked two tight ends, but you people might not know yet that so might Monken.
It doesn't matter who Monken's four receivers are; two of them can be tight ends no problem! (No honest! I swear! Only one outside deep threat required!)
I really hope that John Dorsey can land at least one veteran free agent stud defensive lineman ahead of the draft, because Hockenson could be there at 17.
In this offseason, Dorsey can upgrade the front seven on defense through free agency and the middle/late rounds...that's money in the bank.
You people don't get some of this, however--especially those of you proclaiming an urgent need for a Julio Jones-like "big target" for possibly the most accurate quarterback in the NFL:
Freddie Kitchens used "big people" a lot in 2018 (ie extra tight ends and/or running backs).
New Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken will NOT change this, and the two coach's offensive systems do NOT contradict eachother, provided the tight ends and running backs are effective receivers out of the slot.
And you people who think this extremely accurate quarterback needs a "big target" crutch-receiver need to contemplate a Njoku and a Hockenson running around out there intermediate or deep, but wait: think HARDER:
Who on this planet can (legally) prevent either of these guys from catching a pinpoint pass? Which TWO guys?
Peter Smith is a freaking genius.
You people need to stay with me a tad longer:
The two tight ends in 2018 helped both offensive tackles out in pass protection with chip-blocks, and that barely inhibited their effectiveness as receivers (this is an "analytics" thing...sorry to break it to you so bluntly).
In terms of run-blocking, the tight ends sealed the edges, cut off backside pursuit, and knocked out linebackers and little guys downfield.
I still think Seth DeValve is massively underrated, but he's probably never going to be much of an in-line blocker. He's too short, period.
Anyway, you people need to imagine what Baker Mayfield and Nick Chubb could do with Njoku and Hockenson blocking and hollering "hit me I'm open!"
I'm kind of assuming that Njoku will react as expected to John Dorsey's very public challenge to start BLOCKING, because Njoku has the tools to do that.
You people need to update your databases:
Long story short: The "arms race" in the NFL has set up two tight end and two running back offenses for success, and (in general) smashmouth running is going to work.
You people don't look ahead, because most of you are Memorex Morons. Everybody copies the Patriots, and it works for one season, but one season later, well...there the Pats are again, a step ahead, and in the Superbowl.
...and everybody copies them again. And again. And again.
I think the Browns might have got lucky with Freddie Kitchens. Freddie went nuts with all this exotic stuff he pulled in 2018, but in doing this, he proved to me that he is NOT a copycat, and IS creative and original.
It would be a huge leap to compare Freddie Kitchens to Bill Bellichick at this point, but I gotta say:
So far, so good!
Okbye.
Sunday, March 3, 2019
Night of the Living Permabashers, Jalen Hurd, Stupid Browns' Mock Drafts
Terry Pluto wrote a pretty good article about John Dorsey's statements and intentions for the 2019 season.
Dorsey said, in re the Superbowl, "We're not there yet", which is refreshing.
But the simpletonians in the comments section went into a Browns bashfest, most often repeating the mantra that they only beat one team with a winning record in 2018.
Superficially, that's a valid point, but this is why I call the bashers simpletonians and Memorex Morons.
You have to be a moron if you think that the 2019 Browns will be identical to the 2018 Browns.
Here are a few of the reasons why they won't be:
1: The starting quarterback, wide receiver, cornerback, and linebacker were rookies. So was Ratley, who didn't get on the field, but should in 2019, and left tackle Des Harrison for half a season.
2: The Offensive Coordinator(s) and system were new.
3: Starters Robinson, Hubbard, Landry, Randall, and every other cornerback were new to the team.
4: Two (or more) games were lost on missed Field Goals (and extra points). One was the tie vs the Steelers, and another was the loss to the Saints in New Orleans.
Greg Joseph (upon further review) was an upgrade at Kicker, and Mike Preiffer is generally regarded as one of the best Special Teams Coordinators in the NFL.
This was probably the biggest coaching upgrade John Dorsey pulled off this offseason, because the guy he replaces was just terrible---for his whole carreer (what were they thinking? This had to be a Hue Jackson guy. Hiring him made no sense!!!)
5: The Defense got turnovers, but was just plain bottom five bad in the important categories.
Steve Wilks may or may not be an upgade over Greg Williams as a Defensive Coordinator, but John Dorsey is running the offseason, and
A: There are some very good free agent linebackers and defensive linemen in this year's crop.
B: There are a bunch of terrific Defensive Tackles, several good-to-excellent Defensive Ends, and a pretty decent crop of 4-3 linebackers in this draft class.
In other words, there should be at least five new front seven defenders added to this roster before training camp...
And if you think this defense will stay in the basement, there is something wrong with you.
6: Back to youth: Five rookies started for significant parts of 2018, but Njoku, Garrett, Ogunjobi, Peppers, and Schobert were only second year players.
We're up to nine starters with less than two years' experience here so far. Then there were a bunch of guys going into year three as well.
For anybody with an actual brain, this describes a young and A S C E N D I N G team DO YOU U N D E R S T A N D?
7: The Bengals are in transition, as are the Ravens. The Steelers are about to lose Antonio Brown. And Baker Mayfield has now played each of these teams at least once.
The 1-6-1 record vs winning teams rescuscitated the permabashers, but they expose their subjectivity by ignoring the reasons for it, the youth of the roster, and who is running this Front Office.
Turning from this carnage, this here wide receiver Jalen Hurd looks very interesting to me, as he is a (currently injured) inexperienced skyscraper who should be available in the middle rounds.
Hurd is obviously a really smart guy, because he stayed in school (and transferred to Baylor) so that he could switch from running back to wide receiver after his junior season.
At that time, Hurd was projected by most to be drafted in the first or second round, but he felt that playing running back in the NFL would shorten his carreer.
Boy, is he right! There are reasons why there aren't any running backs over 6'1" that you've ever heard of in the NFL. They lack leverage, can't cut as well, and defenders target their legs.
Smart kid! I like smart kids!
Anyway, Jalen never missed a beat, and instantly became a super-productive Wide Receiver at Baylor.
He wasn't able to do much at the Combine because he was injured, but the guess is that he doesn't have elite speed, but is "sudden" (can get separation), and has good hands.
His RAC ability is obvious.
He played mostly out of the slot at Baylor, and hasn't mastered much of a route tree, and is seen as a project who could contribute as a special teamer and sort of "specialist" on offense as a rookie.
As for his "long speed", it's not the issue some people think it is. Mike Evans isn't a burner, but he scrapes by somehow.
Monken and Kitchens could probably make more of Hurd as a rookie than other coaches could, so I'm rooting for him.
At 17th overall, I was hoping for Montez Sweat, among others, but the guy clocked an ungodly 40 time, and will probably be gone by pick 17.
CBS Sports broke down the defensive linemen's and linebackers' 40 times for us, and Sweat ran a freaking 4.41!!!
Also of note, D K Metcalf (if I remember right) ran a 3-cone of over 7.3, which is a red flag. He was off the charts on his vertical leap and long jump (as well as his 4.33 40), however.
And I gotta say that in my amateur opinion, he looks kinda stiff on tape...but I defer to any real expert who says different.
Anyway, as you guys know by now, wide receiver is NOT a need here in reality. Dorsey can wait for a top defensive lineman or a Devin at linebacker (White 4.42 and Bush 4.43 respectively), or make a move on Sweat or somebody.
Sparing you the link (you're welcome), another mock draft has John Dorsey drafting a shrimp slot receiver at 17th overall (this year's John Ross).
That's brilliant. Duke, Callaway, Landry etc need to be replaced by a smaller microbe who...jeez this idiocy just wears me out.
And this cornerback stuff--wtf!?! Terrence Mitchell got injured, not killed, for cryin out loud!
And Wilks doesn't predicate his coverage schemes on press/man either -snap-snap- like Gregg Williams did. Even if you think Terrence Mitchell died, what makes you think Steve Wilks wants a press/man corner more than a linebacker or defensive lineman?
8: The 2018 Browns' Defense sucked especially vs the run, and also failed to generate much pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
The aforementioned quarterbacks had too much time to throw too often. Coverage wasn't the issue.
Obviously, the big needs here are in the front seven. These are the guys that stop the run and pressure the quarterbacks DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
Not that these mock-drafted cornerbacks or wide receivers or whatever suck, or anything. Not that most of them wouldn't be upgrades.
But you only have one first round draft pick, and in this draft, John Dorsey should have several elite front seven prospects available. Why thee f--k would he draft any other position?
Daniel Jeremiah puts his two cents worth in on the Draftables so far, and it's worth the click (and a ton more than two cents).
Slow day. That's all I got. Okbye.
Dorsey said, in re the Superbowl, "We're not there yet", which is refreshing.
But the simpletonians in the comments section went into a Browns bashfest, most often repeating the mantra that they only beat one team with a winning record in 2018.
Superficially, that's a valid point, but this is why I call the bashers simpletonians and Memorex Morons.
You have to be a moron if you think that the 2019 Browns will be identical to the 2018 Browns.
Here are a few of the reasons why they won't be:
1: The starting quarterback, wide receiver, cornerback, and linebacker were rookies. So was Ratley, who didn't get on the field, but should in 2019, and left tackle Des Harrison for half a season.
2: The Offensive Coordinator(s) and system were new.
3: Starters Robinson, Hubbard, Landry, Randall, and every other cornerback were new to the team.
4: Two (or more) games were lost on missed Field Goals (and extra points). One was the tie vs the Steelers, and another was the loss to the Saints in New Orleans.
Greg Joseph (upon further review) was an upgrade at Kicker, and Mike Preiffer is generally regarded as one of the best Special Teams Coordinators in the NFL.
This was probably the biggest coaching upgrade John Dorsey pulled off this offseason, because the guy he replaces was just terrible---for his whole carreer (what were they thinking? This had to be a Hue Jackson guy. Hiring him made no sense!!!)
5: The Defense got turnovers, but was just plain bottom five bad in the important categories.
Steve Wilks may or may not be an upgade over Greg Williams as a Defensive Coordinator, but John Dorsey is running the offseason, and
A: There are some very good free agent linebackers and defensive linemen in this year's crop.
B: There are a bunch of terrific Defensive Tackles, several good-to-excellent Defensive Ends, and a pretty decent crop of 4-3 linebackers in this draft class.
In other words, there should be at least five new front seven defenders added to this roster before training camp...
And if you think this defense will stay in the basement, there is something wrong with you.
6: Back to youth: Five rookies started for significant parts of 2018, but Njoku, Garrett, Ogunjobi, Peppers, and Schobert were only second year players.
We're up to nine starters with less than two years' experience here so far. Then there were a bunch of guys going into year three as well.
For anybody with an actual brain, this describes a young and A S C E N D I N G team DO YOU U N D E R S T A N D?
7: The Bengals are in transition, as are the Ravens. The Steelers are about to lose Antonio Brown. And Baker Mayfield has now played each of these teams at least once.
The 1-6-1 record vs winning teams rescuscitated the permabashers, but they expose their subjectivity by ignoring the reasons for it, the youth of the roster, and who is running this Front Office.
Turning from this carnage, this here wide receiver Jalen Hurd looks very interesting to me, as he is a (currently injured) inexperienced skyscraper who should be available in the middle rounds.
Hurd is obviously a really smart guy, because he stayed in school (and transferred to Baylor) so that he could switch from running back to wide receiver after his junior season.
At that time, Hurd was projected by most to be drafted in the first or second round, but he felt that playing running back in the NFL would shorten his carreer.
Boy, is he right! There are reasons why there aren't any running backs over 6'1" that you've ever heard of in the NFL. They lack leverage, can't cut as well, and defenders target their legs.
Smart kid! I like smart kids!
Anyway, Jalen never missed a beat, and instantly became a super-productive Wide Receiver at Baylor.
He wasn't able to do much at the Combine because he was injured, but the guess is that he doesn't have elite speed, but is "sudden" (can get separation), and has good hands.
His RAC ability is obvious.
He played mostly out of the slot at Baylor, and hasn't mastered much of a route tree, and is seen as a project who could contribute as a special teamer and sort of "specialist" on offense as a rookie.
As for his "long speed", it's not the issue some people think it is. Mike Evans isn't a burner, but he scrapes by somehow.
Monken and Kitchens could probably make more of Hurd as a rookie than other coaches could, so I'm rooting for him.
At 17th overall, I was hoping for Montez Sweat, among others, but the guy clocked an ungodly 40 time, and will probably be gone by pick 17.
CBS Sports broke down the defensive linemen's and linebackers' 40 times for us, and Sweat ran a freaking 4.41!!!
Also of note, D K Metcalf (if I remember right) ran a 3-cone of over 7.3, which is a red flag. He was off the charts on his vertical leap and long jump (as well as his 4.33 40), however.
And I gotta say that in my amateur opinion, he looks kinda stiff on tape...but I defer to any real expert who says different.
Anyway, as you guys know by now, wide receiver is NOT a need here in reality. Dorsey can wait for a top defensive lineman or a Devin at linebacker (White 4.42 and Bush 4.43 respectively), or make a move on Sweat or somebody.
Sparing you the link (you're welcome), another mock draft has John Dorsey drafting a shrimp slot receiver at 17th overall (this year's John Ross).
That's brilliant. Duke, Callaway, Landry etc need to be replaced by a smaller microbe who...jeez this idiocy just wears me out.
And this cornerback stuff--wtf!?! Terrence Mitchell got injured, not killed, for cryin out loud!
And Wilks doesn't predicate his coverage schemes on press/man either -snap-snap- like Gregg Williams did. Even if you think Terrence Mitchell died, what makes you think Steve Wilks wants a press/man corner more than a linebacker or defensive lineman?
8: The 2018 Browns' Defense sucked especially vs the run, and also failed to generate much pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
The aforementioned quarterbacks had too much time to throw too often. Coverage wasn't the issue.
Obviously, the big needs here are in the front seven. These are the guys that stop the run and pressure the quarterbacks DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
Not that these mock-drafted cornerbacks or wide receivers or whatever suck, or anything. Not that most of them wouldn't be upgrades.
But you only have one first round draft pick, and in this draft, John Dorsey should have several elite front seven prospects available. Why thee f--k would he draft any other position?
Daniel Jeremiah puts his two cents worth in on the Draftables so far, and it's worth the click (and a ton more than two cents).
Slow day. That's all I got. Okbye.
Saturday, March 2, 2019
Let's Draft a Wide Receiver at 17th. Until Tomorrow: Kneeherk Spazzdom
Randy Gurzi says that after his 4.49 40, 6'5" (and change), 227 lb WR Hakeem Butler could be in play for the Browns at 17th overall.
Randy remains wrong about the Browns needing a skycraper opposite Jarvis Landry, especially in a Monken/Kitchens offense.
Russell Wilson, Aaron Rodgers, Tom B...nevermind, but no, Baker doesn't need a big huge can't miss target -sigh-...
However, Randy could be right here, because (as I posted myself a couple weeks ago), Butler could be really special.
I'm watching the Combine with the sound off, and could have swore I saw a 4.33 40 time next to D K Metcalf's name, which could "update" Gurzi's opinion.
Metcalf's rocked-up Brady Quinn-like physique is viral, but a lot of real scouts don't like all that muscle, and liken him to David Boston.
I personally know my limitations, and have no opinion on that (yet). The real experts want to see them 3-cones and short-shuttles.
These will indicate agility and suddenness, but can't tell you much about a guy's ability to twist around in the air and grab a pass thrown behind him, or even to extend straight-up.
Pat Kirwan plans to zero in on Metcalf's crosses and slants in his college tapes.
Metcalf is all the rage for the general public right now, but Hakeem Butler might actually be the better prospect.
Butler is about three inches taller, with commensurate reach and hands. Butler doesn't drop anything (Metcalf does, a little). Butler is more advanced, having played in the slot as well as outside, and with a more complete route tree.
Both these guys get compared to Julio Jones and Josh Gordon. I guess(?), but this seems kind of lazy to me.
Metcalf kinda fits height-wise, but is bigger than both. Butler has three inches on all of them.
I think Randy might be overreacting a bit (and of course projecting a need where none exists).
Dan Justik says that (projected top ten Defensive Tackle) Ed Oliver would love to share a Defensive Line with Myles Garrett.
No news here, of course, but it reminds us of the Browns' real needs.
Metcalf should be there at 17, and Butler WILL be. But if Williams, White, Ferrell, Sweat, Gary, Oliver, or one of two cornerbacks are also there, in a logical world a Wide Receiver aint happenin there.
Of course, we know that John Dorsey will be aggressive in free agency ahead of the draft, and will be trying to bolster the defense at every level (from the line back).
Things could change...
Ok but trading with the Dolphins for WR Kenny Stills!?! Who writes this stuff!?!
A lot of you Memorex Morons are utterly devoid of imagination.
It takes a microscopic trace of imagination to project an utterly predictable leap in production from Antonio Callaway, the emergence of Dameion Ratley, the continued growth of Njoku...
Kenny Stills, in exchange for draft picks AND at his salary over these guys and Perriman/Willies/Higgins really?
Brilliant! The Browns need another 6'2" above average reciever to kick one of these guys to the curb and demote another one and cost more than all but one of them in cap space and a draft pick or two god---
I got a nosebleed here, surrounded as I am by all this genius...but I digress:
Here's some more Wide Receiver 40 times from the Combine, just for your info.
It's fun for me to watch this stuff, and read the articles these Combine results spawn.
"We should draft this guy!" because he beat this other guy by THREE TENTHS of a SECOND in the 40.
Regardless of position or team need.
Tomorrow, it starts over with a new position-group, and the majority of the pundits recommending these players are oblivious to their respective teams' actual needs.
"We should draft this guy...no I mean that guy...wait no that guy (possible excerpt from a possible Novel I might write entitled "Notes from Oblivia").
All these clueless amatuers scramble to "beat" everybody else to a "story", and it gets just plain rediculous:
John Dorsey was told by a reporter that Steelers GM Colbert said he might trade Antonio Brown within the AFC North.
He presents his cellphone, and tells Colbert "you got my number".
Wow! I now grock that John Dorsey acts interested in every tradeable or free agent player, so I won't react as I did when John flirted with Dez Bryant and stuff:
You people don't really think that John Dorsey wants to trade for Antonio Brown (and his salary demands), do you?
Dorsey acts interested in everybody to threaten everybody else competing for the same job on his roster.
The players and agents concerned usually recognize this bullshit when they see it (ie a bluff), but they can't be certain, and they have to respect the LEVERAGE that Dorsey is exerting on them.
When the Browns were the laughing stock of the NFL, these tactics would have been useless (and embarrassing).
Now? Those Free Agents want a piece uddis!!! Dorsey will probably save over 10% by pretending he is chasing Antonio Brown, Beckham, and every other Free Agent or tradeable player in the NFL.
In conclusion, okbye.
Randy remains wrong about the Browns needing a skycraper opposite Jarvis Landry, especially in a Monken/Kitchens offense.
Russell Wilson, Aaron Rodgers, Tom B...nevermind, but no, Baker doesn't need a big huge can't miss target -sigh-...
However, Randy could be right here, because (as I posted myself a couple weeks ago), Butler could be really special.
I'm watching the Combine with the sound off, and could have swore I saw a 4.33 40 time next to D K Metcalf's name, which could "update" Gurzi's opinion.
Metcalf's rocked-up Brady Quinn-like physique is viral, but a lot of real scouts don't like all that muscle, and liken him to David Boston.
I personally know my limitations, and have no opinion on that (yet). The real experts want to see them 3-cones and short-shuttles.
These will indicate agility and suddenness, but can't tell you much about a guy's ability to twist around in the air and grab a pass thrown behind him, or even to extend straight-up.
Pat Kirwan plans to zero in on Metcalf's crosses and slants in his college tapes.
Metcalf is all the rage for the general public right now, but Hakeem Butler might actually be the better prospect.
Butler is about three inches taller, with commensurate reach and hands. Butler doesn't drop anything (Metcalf does, a little). Butler is more advanced, having played in the slot as well as outside, and with a more complete route tree.
Both these guys get compared to Julio Jones and Josh Gordon. I guess(?), but this seems kind of lazy to me.
Metcalf kinda fits height-wise, but is bigger than both. Butler has three inches on all of them.
I think Randy might be overreacting a bit (and of course projecting a need where none exists).
Dan Justik says that (projected top ten Defensive Tackle) Ed Oliver would love to share a Defensive Line with Myles Garrett.
No news here, of course, but it reminds us of the Browns' real needs.
Metcalf should be there at 17, and Butler WILL be. But if Williams, White, Ferrell, Sweat, Gary, Oliver, or one of two cornerbacks are also there, in a logical world a Wide Receiver aint happenin there.
Of course, we know that John Dorsey will be aggressive in free agency ahead of the draft, and will be trying to bolster the defense at every level (from the line back).
Things could change...
Ok but trading with the Dolphins for WR Kenny Stills!?! Who writes this stuff!?!
A lot of you Memorex Morons are utterly devoid of imagination.
It takes a microscopic trace of imagination to project an utterly predictable leap in production from Antonio Callaway, the emergence of Dameion Ratley, the continued growth of Njoku...
Kenny Stills, in exchange for draft picks AND at his salary over these guys and Perriman/Willies/Higgins really?
Brilliant! The Browns need another 6'2" above average reciever to kick one of these guys to the curb and demote another one and cost more than all but one of them in cap space and a draft pick or two god---
I got a nosebleed here, surrounded as I am by all this genius...but I digress:
Here's some more Wide Receiver 40 times from the Combine, just for your info.
It's fun for me to watch this stuff, and read the articles these Combine results spawn.
"We should draft this guy!" because he beat this other guy by THREE TENTHS of a SECOND in the 40.
Regardless of position or team need.
Tomorrow, it starts over with a new position-group, and the majority of the pundits recommending these players are oblivious to their respective teams' actual needs.
"We should draft this guy...no I mean that guy...wait no that guy (possible excerpt from a possible Novel I might write entitled "Notes from Oblivia").
All these clueless amatuers scramble to "beat" everybody else to a "story", and it gets just plain rediculous:
John Dorsey was told by a reporter that Steelers GM Colbert said he might trade Antonio Brown within the AFC North.
He presents his cellphone, and tells Colbert "you got my number".
Wow! I now grock that John Dorsey acts interested in every tradeable or free agent player, so I won't react as I did when John flirted with Dez Bryant and stuff:
You people don't really think that John Dorsey wants to trade for Antonio Brown (and his salary demands), do you?
Dorsey acts interested in everybody to threaten everybody else competing for the same job on his roster.
The players and agents concerned usually recognize this bullshit when they see it (ie a bluff), but they can't be certain, and they have to respect the LEVERAGE that Dorsey is exerting on them.
When the Browns were the laughing stock of the NFL, these tactics would have been useless (and embarrassing).
Now? Those Free Agents want a piece uddis!!! Dorsey will probably save over 10% by pretending he is chasing Antonio Brown, Beckham, and every other Free Agent or tradeable player in the NFL.
In conclusion, okbye.
Friday, March 1, 2019
Cleveland Browns Intelligent Analysis: Ignoring Ignorance. Mostly.
Doug Lesmerisis likes Offensive Tackle Oli Udoh (in the fifth round or so), and after reading his article, so do I.
As I've repeated redundantly, the 2019 Browns don't need Joe Thomas 2.0 (as if that were possible anyway).
But John Dorsey does have to look at the "Big Picture" and be...analytical😂.
Desmond Harrison is a physical freak, but as Doug points out, he was a much riskier prospect than Udoh, as he hardly played any in college (and was skinny/light).
While I still have high hopes for Harrison, we Browns fans have seen a whole bunch of uber-talented projects go the way of the Doe-Doe bird.
Udoh would be both competition for Harrison and insurance. Udoh practiced and played well at the Shrine Game and Senior Bowl. He is big, strong, and very experienced (albeit at a low level of competition).
Doug included a bunch of diect (unedited) quotes from Udoh (complete with contractions and stuff, you know?), and he's definitely a smart dude, and confident as hell (without being arrogant).
The Big Picture has to include that RT Chris Hubbard is (now) good but not great, Greg Robinson is only locked up for one more year, and if he does "ball out", he might price himself off the roster in 2020.
(A note on that: You can't pay everybody as much as one of 31 other teams will offer no madder wudd. You can't just pay "whatever it takes" without bankrupting yourself.)
With Rodney Corbettfield here, Dorsey has center and guard covered for awhile, but lingering question marks at Offensive Tackle, starting with Harrison in 2019, and getting multiplied in 2020.
Oli Udoh in the fifth (or even 4th) round in this draft would be right in Harrison and Corbett's face immediately--let God sort that out, but Dorsey is thinking '20 and beyond, and Uboh on Day 3 looks like a great investment.
Thanks to Scott Petrack, I'm re-thinking the inevitability of Jamie Collins' release. John Dorsey is talking to Jamie's agent, and that can only mean that he wants to keep him at a more affordable price.
Collins is 29, which undermines his value as a free agent.
His 2018 stats were actually impressive, which makes him valuable (especially to teams in contention).
There are too many varibles to predict this one:
How would Wilks use Collins? Does Collins like it here? Is he a mercenary (and if so, is he smart enough to bet on the Browns?)
Who knows? In reality, John Dorsey is trying to retain Collins for less money over 2-3 years with frontloaded guarantees so he can TRADE him sooner or later...
It's last call. I need to okbye
As I've repeated redundantly, the 2019 Browns don't need Joe Thomas 2.0 (as if that were possible anyway).
But John Dorsey does have to look at the "Big Picture" and be...analytical😂.
Desmond Harrison is a physical freak, but as Doug points out, he was a much riskier prospect than Udoh, as he hardly played any in college (and was skinny/light).
While I still have high hopes for Harrison, we Browns fans have seen a whole bunch of uber-talented projects go the way of the Doe-Doe bird.
Udoh would be both competition for Harrison and insurance. Udoh practiced and played well at the Shrine Game and Senior Bowl. He is big, strong, and very experienced (albeit at a low level of competition).
Doug included a bunch of diect (unedited) quotes from Udoh (complete with contractions and stuff, you know?), and he's definitely a smart dude, and confident as hell (without being arrogant).
The Big Picture has to include that RT Chris Hubbard is (now) good but not great, Greg Robinson is only locked up for one more year, and if he does "ball out", he might price himself off the roster in 2020.
(A note on that: You can't pay everybody as much as one of 31 other teams will offer no madder wudd. You can't just pay "whatever it takes" without bankrupting yourself.)
With Rodney Corbettfield here, Dorsey has center and guard covered for awhile, but lingering question marks at Offensive Tackle, starting with Harrison in 2019, and getting multiplied in 2020.
Oli Udoh in the fifth (or even 4th) round in this draft would be right in Harrison and Corbett's face immediately--let God sort that out, but Dorsey is thinking '20 and beyond, and Uboh on Day 3 looks like a great investment.
Thanks to Scott Petrack, I'm re-thinking the inevitability of Jamie Collins' release. John Dorsey is talking to Jamie's agent, and that can only mean that he wants to keep him at a more affordable price.
Collins is 29, which undermines his value as a free agent.
His 2018 stats were actually impressive, which makes him valuable (especially to teams in contention).
There are too many varibles to predict this one:
How would Wilks use Collins? Does Collins like it here? Is he a mercenary (and if so, is he smart enough to bet on the Browns?)
Who knows? In reality, John Dorsey is trying to retain Collins for less money over 2-3 years with frontloaded guarantees so he can TRADE him sooner or later...
It's last call. I need to okbye
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