This article by Mike Lukas is just hysterical. You've got to check it out *after you read the rest of this*.
I can't find much to write about today, so I checked out the CBSSports Draft Rankings to try to figure out which players might be available to John Dorsey after pick 42 or so (as you know he might make a move).
Bob Rang and company are pretty good at ranking these players, but of course the actual draft rarely works out according to these rankings.
The first variable is the Quarterbacks, who always get drafted higher than they should be. There could be as many as four drafted before pick 49.
Another variable is systems: 3-4 teams will want some different guys than 4-3 teams, West Coast offenses will prefer a different kind of wide receiver.
Another variable is need. The Browns, for example, need a micro-slot receiver or a guard or tight end like they need a hole in the head.
So every single year, a bunch of guys who rank in the top 32 end up well...sometimes as low as say...49 or lower.
In this draft, Dorsey can ignore all the wide receivers, interior offensive linemen, Quarterbacks, running backs, and probably tight ends.
Where I start: At the 32nd-ranked player. I'll guess that three Quarterbacks will get drafted before 49, so that makes it more like pick 46, right?
Then, at the very least two wide receivers will bring that to 44. The one stud TE makes that 43. I'm sure somebody will draft a guard or center: 42.
Excluding positions that are not priorities for the Browns (except in the bizarre imaginations of some people I'm glad I don't know), here we go (asterisks denote guys I've seen mocked to the Browns at 49):
35: S Nasir Adderly*
36: CB Deandre Baker
38: S Taylor Rapp*
40: S Chauncey Gardener (gotta be a tough guy...Chauncey? Thanks mom and dad!)
42: DT Dre'Mont Jones*
43: S Jonathan Abram*
45: OT Greg Little*
46: CB Rock Ya Sin*
47: CB Justin Layne*
49: S Juan Thornbill*
50: CB Justin Love*
53: DL Zach Allen*
I did leave out several Offensive Linemen I knew nothing about. I figure that if nobody talked them up, they weren't considered as good tackle prospects.
The only Offensive Tackle here is Greg Little. Somebody whose opinion I've learned to trust thinks Little could come in and challenge either incumbent starter immediately. His weakness is run-blocking--not pass protection.
CBS is in the minority on Taylor Rapp, who is the consensus-best safety in this draft. Thornbill and Abram are close. Adderly is another CBS disagreement with the consensus, but I know he's really good too.
As you see, there are five safeties here. That could mean that one or more of them could fall into the third round.
Like 4-3 linebackers and running backs, safeties tend to get drafted lower than other positions in general, and this is an unusually deep class. John Dorsey has safety covered for now with his free agents, and may exploit this.
While all these safeties are expected to start as rookies, there isn't much separation between them. The other GMs know this, too, so it's possible that all of these guys slide past 49!
This won't happen with the (four) cornerbacks.
See Mr. Lonely Dre'Mont Jones there? Well, Zach Allen is a DE/DT hybrid (6'4" 280+), and could be an instant rotational player anywhere except at nose tackle (according to some real scouts).
This whole thing looks like either a DT or a CB at 49.
And I'll tell you something else: a trade DOWN from 49 is as likely as a trade up.
John Dorsey sees the writing on the wall. Thanks to Sashi and Paul, he inheritted Garrett, Schobert, Ogunjobi, Njoku, and all those draft picks, and got to load up his roster all at once.
Screw the people who say "don't worry about" 2-3 years down the road. Dorsey's job is to build a DYNASTY, and not a take one big swing and then collapse and rebuild again.
He's way out over his skis here and knows it. He has to draft his team's future, because he's going to lose a bunch of his current stars three years from now. He's expended the ammo Sashi Brown left him, and built up a HUGE balloon payment.
A trade-down won't happen if Dorsey rates Dre'Mont Jones or one specific cornerback (or possibly Allen) too high to risk losing them, but consider this:
He will probably have room to trade down as far as he wants, and still grab one of those stud safeties, or else a third-tier DT who can rotate in as a rookie--and maybe still a tall man cornerback!
Seriously, you people: The stars have aligned for the Browns here in this draft class (ok well except for Offensive Tackle): DTs and safeties out the yinyang, nice DE and Cornerback depth (lots of TALL corners)...
You people don't see the big picture. That might be a generational thing; a compulsion for immediate gratifification because you've been spoiled by Amazon and stuff.
When I was a kid, I had to walk 3 miles to school barefoot through six feet of snow, uphill both ways but I digress:
Antonio Callaway is here to replace OBJ when Dorsey can't afford him anymore. Genard Avery will replace Kirksey, and Hilliard will replace Duke.
Objectively, the Patriots and Steelers have been the models which other teams have sought to emulate (ie "dynasties"; perennial contenders).
More recently, the Rams and Colts are coming on strong; the Colts looking a little better long-term (because the Rams will have to blow 15-20% of it's cap on Goff shortly).
But I redigress: Draft picks good. Free agents (except for one year depth-bandaids) bad DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
Trade-ups bad. Trade-downs good.
THINK with your BRAIN: As it stands, all the real experts on this planet now consider the 2019 Browns favorites to win the AFC North outright, and as strong Superbowl contenders.
PFF et al can't find any needs at all on this team. So why do you think Dorsey will blow draft picks to trade UP?
Stay with me here! Heading into this draft, the smart people say the 2019 Browns have top five talent and respect Kitchens and his staff AS IS.
Still with me -snap-snap-?
Given the list of potential draft picks I cited earlier at 49, and the position-depths I cited, why the hell would Dorsey trade UP (except a few slots for Simmons)!?!
You...comprehend that there are more than 22 guys on NFL rosters, right? Well, can you comprehend that young players tend to improve over time?
Probably not, because you're memorex morons (no offense):
Anyway, get the stars out of your eyes and THINK:
AS IS, the Browns have (at least) a top five Quarterback and (oh by the way) top five talented TEAM headed into the draft.
You still don't get this, probably. You think Dorsey can't help trading up (and inexplicably don't remember his trade-downs).
Really, you people are generally smart, and have common sense, so you should get this:
John Dorsey will trade down in this draft--even if he trades up (a little) from 49th. AND he is more likely than not to trade down from 49 in THIS draft class!
In fairness, you guys aren't Browns OCD sufferers, or Intelligence Analysts like me, so I can't pick on you much.
But trust me: The ONE thing John Dorsey will NOT do is trade into the first round. Don't you see how idiotic that would be?
Jeez I thought I sucked at math!
I hereby predict that John Dorsey will either draft a cornerback or DT at 49 or trade down (and then draft a cornerback or safety).
I hope Dorsey trades down.
...okbye
Here we go! Some genius heard John Dorsey say he liked Jeffery Simmons and remembered that Dorsey said he would (consider) trading into the first round (if it would help the team)*more than the draft picks it would cost him*, e voila!
He mocks Dorsey trading up with Seattle to nab Simmons, and all it costs him is his second, third, and fourth round picks and a third rounder next season!
Yes, this is how you build a team to last, right? You trade away a second, fourth, and two thirds for a guy who will demand more money than Myles Garrett one year after Mayfield breaks the bank!
That's way smarter than drafting three or four Callaways, Schoberts, Chubbs, and Averys!
And of course Dorsey doesn't really think Burnett is a good Strong Safety, so the Browns desperately need to replace Jabrill Peppers at all costs.
I should mention again here that the Steelers pressed Burnett into service as a Free Safety. He was actually so-so (not bad) there, but in earier years was a pretty good Strong Safety.
Eric Murray is above average as well.
A lot of people are star-struck, and think if the guy at any position isn't an All-pro, he has to be replaced. None of these would last long as GMs, because they are delusional.
John Dorsey has three fifth round picks, and may make a small move up in the second round should Simmons or somebody like him slide that far, but he'd be fine standing pat, as well.
Taylor Rapp or one of the other top safeties could be there. One of several tall man corners. A high-end passblocking offensive tackle, or (easily) an immediate impact Defensive Tackle with great upside:
Back to Simmons, see? Star-struck! It can't just be a good player---it has to be the GREAT one...at any price! See? Delusional!
Safety is adequately covered for the Browns (in depth). Cornerback is thinner, and lacking length, but adequate. Both positions could be upgraded, and cornerback needs more quality depth.
EDGE is actually covered in depth with Genard Avery able to to come off the edge.
At Defensive End, John Dorsey isn't bullshooting about his 2018 pick Chad Thomas.
The fact that Thomas barely played for Gregg Willams as a rookie is almost meaningless when he had the veteran Ogbah in front of him.
Thomas isn't a great passrusher, but can be a good all-around Defensive End (who can play inside too).
Defensive Tackle is a different story. They need another one in the rotation.
Trevon Coley was just plain bad as the gap-shooting "3-technique". Carl Davis is a big powerful "zero shade" who can probably spell Ogunjobi in short yardage situations, but he's got none of Larry's range or quickness.
Fans don't think about this much, but GMs and Coaches do:
In Game 3 of 2018, injury forced Hue Jackson to reluctantly let Baker Mayfield play, and he brought his team back and won, despite Todd Haley.
Haley unfortunately suppressed Mayfield for several more games, so opposing teams were able to run the ball throughout every game.
Garrett and Ogunjobi wore down (especially Larry).
After the Liberation (Haley's termination), the Browns' offense broke jail and were close (or ahead) in most games. Opposing Quarterbacks had to pass more often, but Ogunjobi was worn out.
NOW, the Browns' offense looks to be one of the most prolific in the NFL. And remember: HEAD Coach Freddie Kitchens ran Wishbones and 3-TE offenses, and played some smashmouth, so his was a balanced offense which could eat up the clock and let his defense rest.
All of this matters in how the 2019 Browns defense is staffed and structured. It's a natural grass team that will be LEADING in the majority of it's games.
The emphasis needs to be on stopping the pass.
Happily, there are similarities between Steve Wilks and Gregg Williams, so the four-man defensive front and some other stuff *including a safety lining up 20-25 yards deep sometimes haha* will remain in place.
But Wilks is in a much, much better situation than Gregg Williams ever was.
Williams had to stop the RUN. Wilks will generally face offenses who have to pass.
Dorsey (the former NFL linebacker) and Wilks are on the same page here: No nose tackle types. Coverage skills rule for linebackers and safeties. ALL Defensive linemen must be able to rush the passer (or at least collapse the pocket).
Press/man outside is a higher priority for Wilks now than it has been in his past. Any cornerback drafted will need these skills, because right now the Browns have exactly two of them.
Gaines and Carrie are a tier down from Terrence Mitchell in press/man.
...oh sorry: See press coverage was an attempted solution to the West Coast offense. It's designed to deprive offenses of the inside crosses and slants that the West Coast relies on, blow up planned routes, and force the quarterback to hold (eat) the ball.
Offenses have evolved, of course, but press/man still matters, a LOT, since if it works, it takes the Offense's X and Z off the table for over four seconds, and makes a fade or anything else dangerous after that.
I'm in the weeds here, but if Wilks is smart, he's asking Dorsey to get him another press/man corner (or two)--and preferably a TALL one.
...and for passrushing Defensive Tackles.
Is any of this sinking in? Safety is LOW on Wilks's list.
So is linebacker, since this is 2019 (67% nickel defenses) and the 2019 Browns (they'll be ahead a lot, and run more nickles and dimes than that).
I can't fathom how any homo sapiens could call inside offensive line depth a "need".
But I now think that offensive tackle is one (hey sorry for the redundancy here, but I keep adjusting to new information and expert opinions, and have to "tweak" stuff to refine my analysis. It's a "process". I'm not trying to impress anybody. I'm trying to be CORRECT.)
...Unfortunately, this exposes YOU to my stream of conciousness. Sorry.
Anyway the third priority (along with DT and CB) is Offensive Tackle.
To redundate yet again, Chris Hubbard was probably a Dorsey mistake, as he has not earned his money. He looked lots better after the Liberation, but so did Greg Robinson, and these two have Baker Mayfield in common.
Mayfield will make Robinson look like Joe Thomas, and he's a GMF (somebody will offer him 15 mil or something). Hubbard is already overpaid, and Dorsey needs to dump that salary.
Indeed, Kendall Lamm is all up in his face right NOW.
"Unsettled" is an understatement, as BOTH starting OT's are probably GMF's in 2020!
As I've redundated too often, I have high hopes for athletic freak Desmond Harrison, but if he's a butthead, he's Manziel, ya no? And given his history, you can't count on him.
So that's my final decision so far (zinggg):
John Dorsey will go best available, of course, but...
Ok some of you don't get this (sorry to insult those who do): GMs rank players in tiers. These tiers are way narrower/more exclusive than you might think, but smart GMs will address positions of need and go "best available" too.
Where John Dorsey would trade up, he'd see a player he'd rated a tier or two higher than where he currently is, and expects another team to nab him.
Still...I hope John Dorsey isn't one of these Attention Deficit guys. I hope he is capable of sitting still for 49 picks, and then just drafting his best available player.
Most pundits are clueless about John Dorsey: He doesn't trade just because he's bored. Also, he is not an I D I O T.
...Don't be surprised if John Dorsey doesn't trade a second, two thirds, and a fourth round pick to grab a Defensive Tackle in possibly the deepest DT Draft class in history.
...you people...
Duke is on the block. Dorsey has max leverage with him DURING the draft.
Some clown on NFL Radio said "sixth rounder at best" about Duke.
We'll see. Worst case the Browns are "stuck with" him for another year (oh, the humanity!)
Watch the spastic inanity compound as the draft gets closer. I can't imagine anything more idiotic than the mock trade I cited, but I expect some genius to top it.
Probably trading their second and third round picks for a safety, corner, or tackle or something. Really just throw a dart.
Remember: These people are allowed to vote.
You are doomed.
Everybody is atwitter about the Browns schedule. Doug Lesmerisis makes a strong case for 12-4 (and is serious!)
It's just awesome that the Browns get their bye ahead of the Pats game, while the Pats will be coming off a monday nighter...it's like the schedule-makers are bending over backwards to give the Browns a chance.
Wierd, huh? You hearing the Twilight Zone theme too?
Doug predicts a win in that one, by the way.
Perhaps superstitiously, Doug thinks the Steelers (or possibly Ravens) will get lucky...maybe.
But the schedule does look pretty good, with several weak or washed up opponents.
There are all sorts of ways to analyze each game, but maybe the simplest is QB vs QB:
Do you think Sam Darnold will be ready to "carry" his less-talented team to a win over Mayfield? (PS do you think Ebineezer Bell will be as good behind the Jets OLine as he was behind the Steelers?)
Do you think Tom Brady will punk the upstart? PS no Gronk by the way. Also no true X-receiver. Also no mobility...
...ok I don't dare stick my neck out predicting a Brady clunker, but our whippersnapper will give as good as he gits.
Ditto Big Ben. Sans AB, he may have to hold the ball more often. Brown got open immediately all the time, and that's rare. His loss wasn't huge, or anything, but it could get him sacked vs this particular front four, ya no?
Mayfield vs Goff: a classic, no?
Mayfield vs Kyler Murray (if Arizona indeed drafts the kid and trades Rosen) wow! Mayfield kept Murray on the bench til 2018. They're pals, and Baker supports Murray all he can.
Not a fair fight though. Baker has a year under his belt and a much better team around him.
Mayfield vs Wilson: Doug predicts a Wilson win in this one, but I don't. The Seahawks are bleeding talent, and Wilson's massive new contract will help that along quite nicely.
They do draft as well as anybody in the NFL, though-digging up Pro Bowlers on day 3; Wilson himself was a third round pick, meant to be a backup---but I digress:
Wilson is great but the Browns are now better overall.
Unit matchups are more fun (ie my front 7 vs your OLine and TE's, or your receivers vs my coverage guys).
Vs every team on this schedule, the Browns are never overmatched, including by the Rams.
Who has a better defensive line? Who has better wide receivers or running backs? Can you find five better offensive lines?
It gets muddy, though: Joe Schobert is a front 7 guy, but excels in coverage. Many safeties are like linebackers vs the run. This is where the PFF and Numberfire guys have trouble evaluating some players and units.
"Football guys" still have a better handle on a lot of this stuff than Analytics guys.
Recent PFF articles say that the Browns have no needs. How validating!
But I'm a little shocked by that, because Chris Kirksey sucks per their numbers.
Possibly it's the league-wide dominance of the nickel defense (67% of defensive snaps). Analytics geeks ignore bullcrap, and in the Browns' case assume a 4-2-5 nickel and 4-1-6 dime with Schobert in all of them, and Avery in most of them.
I have mentioned that the recently signed linebacker Adarius Taylor strongly resembles Kirksey as a linebacker, excels on special teams, and is wayyy cheaper...so...
In the draft, I now think that DTs, Secondary players, and yes: Offensive Tackles are desirable for depth and the future.
John Dorsey inheritted a ton of money and draft picks from DePodesta and Brown, along with (pay attention, Lesmeresis) a solid core of talent.
He also inheritted DePodesta's plan, and executed it. He's going for all the marbles right TF NOW.
He's got 2 years, and a great chance. But then the rookie contracts run out.
Dorsey is mostly done with free agency, except for one-year cheap rentals. He intends to preserve his draft picks, and use them.
He HAS to.
Obviously, he would be an IDIOT to trade most of his draft to trade all the way up into the first round when he has no pressing needs.
...crap I give up. Nobody gets this. Why can't you understand this? You're allowed to vote, right?
Kill me.
Here comes the draft! Randy Gurzi lists three players who may be available at pick 49 who (he believes) could start immediately.
Randy has this "three" format, and could have listed six or ten---but we'll check out his three:
His third option is OT Gregg Little. Little is a falling star in this draft, as he showed up at the combine out of shape, and performed poorly. Also, despite having good size, he wasn't a strong run-blocker.
I can comment on that: Per PFF, all three of the free agent offensive linemen Dorsey recently signed were well above average in pass protection and below average as run-blockers.
Further, a very smart pro I cited awhile ago said that the most common mistake GMs make in evaluating Offensive Linemen is overvaluing run-blocking (and obviously John Dorsey concurs).
Gurzi likens the Little combine performance to Orlando Brown Jr's in 2018, and insists that Greg Little's films trump his poor combine.
Unlike Brown, Randy feels that Little can play Left Tackle in the NFL; that he is a legit first round talent.
Next is...oh God...Amani Oruwariye (whew); a cornerback Doug Dieken hopes the Browns won't draft. He's similar to homie Justin Layne, and has the length that none of the current Browns corners possess.
This guy Oruwariye is also over 205 lbs, and excels vs the run--it sounds like in addition to playing man on the outside, he's a good off-man and zone guy too.
Randy's favorite is the consensus top Strong Safety, Taylor Rapp.
Former Stooler Morgan Burnett is the nominal starter there, but Rapp is expected to start immediately for whoever drafts him, and frankly sounds eerily similar to one Troy Polumalu. Nuff said?
Gurzi again: This time it's three injured players who would be worth 49th overall:
He starts with EDGE Porter Gustin, who is too small for DE and has been injured for much of his college carreer. Randy points out his amazing production (when healthy) in 2018.
Randy sees him as a potential SAM and a rotational edge-rusher...but I see him as redundant with Avery (sorta...at best...in Uropia).
OT Yodny Cajuste was generally projected as a first round pick until he tore his quad preparing for the combine.
Cajuste is an excellent pass blocker, but *not a great run-blocker*, and has an injury history predating his quad...well, at least according to these pundits. (Often this is garbage: a guy has two injuries in three years--not ligaments, tendons, or joints--and he gets this label).
DT Jeffery Simmons is of course Randy's top pick. And that goes without saying.
People talk about Simmons possibly playing late in his rookie season, but really this would be a pick for 2020. And I'd set a record running that card up.
Joe Thomas expresses a few opinions on Myles Garrett in his Film Room with Andrew Gribble. I paid special attention to this episode, because I figured this future HOF Left Tackle had some unique insights into a guy he practiced against (and coached)
A few things Joe said:
1: There is a strength measuring device in the Browns' facility on which Big Joe owned the record (1800 lbs, with the second-best being 1200). It measures lower body strength.
Joe says Garrett didn't beat him, but he came very close. Thomas went on to say that Garrett's lower body strength explains his explosiveness.
2: Joe says a false start or two is the "cost of doing business" for a passrusher who can screw up an offense.
3: Garrett is very smart, and Joe says he'll be "reading the codes" of opposing play-calls and will know the snap-count after a few downs in each game.
*I think Joe generalized too much here: The snap-count is not always part of the Quarterback's calls*.
4: Joe says that on one practice play, he saw Garrett overtake a running back 30 yards downfield (from a backside passrush).
The "hustle" was naturally cited by the Coaches as a great example, but Thomas said that he's never seen a Defensive Lineman run that fast.
He said Garrett's strides got longer, and he was running as fast as a cornerback. He was amazed by Garrett's "second gear".
5: Joe showed one play on which Garrett beat Villanueva to sack Big Ben. Garrett got extremely low (with his hand on the ground twice to keep his balance) as he "snuck under" the Tackle's effort to ride him around behind the QB as he stepped forward in the pocket.
Joe says the Left Tackle did a great job, but "when all you got to push against is his back, there's nothing you can do"
Joe didn't say this, but I will: Lots of Edge-rushers can "bend" like this, but they aren't around 280 rocked-up, fat-free lbs. Big Joe or Villanueva would have face-planted Von Miller or the majority of other guys, but Garrett is as strong as the OT's.
The additions of Vernon and Richardson, combined with Garrett's (and Ogunjobi's) natural evolution as players, will present at LEAST a top four Defensive Line (and passrush).
But depth remains an issue. The whole Defensive Line wore down last year as the starters played too many downs. They fizzled both late in individual games, and in the season.
On the edge, the combination of Genard Avery and Chris Smith might help a lot, and in this draft class, Dorsey should land a third DT who can help.
The pundits who think Dorsey should draft Wide Receivers are fulla wrong, in my opinion.
Outside the Labels and Blockhead boxes, Njoku and DeValve are really oversized Wide Receivers, and Ratley and Willies haven't shrunk as far as I know either.
And how many wide receivers can you keep on a roster, Sherlock?
Dorsey just signed this Sheehy-Guiseppi microbe, unmistakably as a kick returner---and he'll probably make it (as a wide receiver).
Idiots.
Ratley should be coming back at over 200 lbs and physically outclasses most of the guys these cretins think should kick him to the curb!
Willies might have just got lucky in 2018, but deserves a chance.
Now, 1 OBJ 2 Landry 3 Callaway 4 Higgins. I just mentioned 5 Ratley 6 Willies 7 Guiseppi.
And (sorry to redundate here), but great Quarterbacks don't NEED big targets, and Mayfield is right there with Warner Brees Rodgers Wilson Goff Sipe Marino Montana etc.
What thee hayull makes these cretins think that Baker Mayfield needs (more) guys with huge catch radii? OR that Ratley is a bust already!?! 6'2+", 4.36. Jeez...
For sure, John Dorsey needs to get frugal and lean into the draft right now if he wants to avoid a collapse about 3 years from now.
...that's why it's even MORE idiotic to expect Dorsey to trade up repeatedly, and blow all his lower picks.
With Randy Gurzi's help, I just discussed six options at 49th overall, and there are a bunch more "real football players" who should be there.
Hell, John Dorsey might trade DOWN six slots if he has six players ranked equally!
Check PFF: The 2019 Browns don't have any "needs" on this planet. They need depth and "projects" who can become studs in time.
At this point, a trade-down from 49 is about as likely as a trade-up (*trading into the first round is too idiotic to consider, but moving up a few slots for a Simmons or a Rapp is possible).
It feels like a trade-down to me. There's a ton of talent at DT, OT (I was wrong about that), Safety, and EDGE in this draft, with cornerbacks right behind that.
John Dorsey bats around .350 in rounds 4 through 7 (I think). Specs aside, he's way above average.
Callaway was a 4th round pick, and Avery a 5th.
John Dorsey is acutely aware that he's got a huge balloon-payment on the horizon, and that he needs to DRAFT the future of this team, so trading DOWN is likely, and trading UP (much) is IDIOTIC.
Does anybody else GET this? Trading most of his picks to get into the first round not only flushes the rest of his picks, but obligates him to another massive singular salary on the heels of Garrett/Mayfield/Ogunjobi/Schobert/Njoku/MAYFIELD/Chubb oh thass jusss brillyunndd!!!
Anyway, here on Earth, John Dorsey should land at least two significant 2019 contributors in this draft, and 2-4 more backups with starter potential.
I'm sorry. I can't let this go: Trading back into the first round is so idiotic that I can't believe anybody with a human brain (including Corky) could consider it.
I'm so glad I will die soon. I am witnessing "Idiocracy" coming to pass. I'm bummed that you are allowed to vote. I wish you could THINK.
But I digress okbye
Now that Russell Wilson signed a new conract for an average of 35 mil/year, people are trying to guesstimate what Baker Mayfield's second contract will look like.
...I don't want to think about it.
Let me tell you something: Everybody says "you should get as much as you can" as if it's a moral imperative. They turn themselves into pretzels saying Tom Brady didn't really take less money; pointing out that his supermodel wife is richer than he is---as if he could never have afforded to take less money otherwise---it's bizarre...
What planet do you guys live on!?? They play a children's game for a living, and make ten to 100 times as much as you do! He needs a rich wife to SETTLE FOR more than brain surgeons make!?!
Here's the deal: Tom Brady took less money than he could have gouged for so that the Patriots could afford better players, and this is partly why he keeps going to Superbowls (and remains healthy).
Every other quarterback dons a ski-mask and hollers "stick 'em up!!!" and gobbles up over 15% of his team's salary cap, and usually his team never does much after that, as guys like Myles Garrett, Nick Chubb, Callaway, Njoku, Ogunjobi, Randall etc leave in free agency because the team can't AFFORD them anymore!!!
I know blah blah arrogant blahblah cheater (wha-eva) but if a quarterback wants to WIN more than he wants more money than he (or his descendants) can never spend, he takes less.
It's not even a sacrifice, really! When you win Superbowls, people want to pay you multi-millions to make commercials and stuff!
Flacco. Rodgers. Cousins (he just took his cap-hit to a new team). Check out which Quarterbacks (aside from Brady) reached the last five Conference Championships and Superbowls.
How smart is the good-looking, polarizing Baker Mayfield? Is he as smart as Tom Brady? Clearly, he wants to WIN, more than anything else.
Is Baker smart enough to accept a little less money from the Browns so the Browns can retain and acquire other players to help him win, so he can do commercials and make more money anyway on his way to the Hall of Fame?
Odds are against it, but there is a glimmer of hope: Mayfield really is not a sheep. He will ignore the peanut gallery...
Speaking of which, I'm amazed by star linebackers, edge-rushers etc on various teams always saying that their Quarterbacks should "get all they can get"...
...then expressing shock and disappointment when their team "let" them "go" for some inexplicable reason.
Russell Wilson is the highest paid player in the NFL. I can't congratulate him, because he'll probably never reach a Conference Title game again, and has no shot at the Hall of Fame.
You people don't get this: There IS NO moral imperative to gouge for every last penny. That's called GREED, and it's selfish. With due respect for my bro E, it's a union mentality.
In the free market, the smartest people make the most money and accrue the most awards.
Tom Brady took less money from the Patriots than he could have. Rodgers, Flacco...
Check out this list per the Bleacher Report:
In general the old (overpaid) Quarteracks didn't get that far, and the number one QB was Mahomes.
The underpaid Tom Brady won the Superbowl over sophomore Jared Goff.
Drew Brees and the Saints got screwed by the refs in a F I X, so that doesn't count; however, the Rams were extremely talented because Goff didn't gobble up 16-20% of the Rams cap space (yet).
Sure, Lord Insideous has everything to do with the Patriots dynasty, but so does Tom Brady, who is now massively underpaid I mean...is Russell Wison really TWICE as good as he is?
Why isn't Brady raising hell?
...is any of this sinking in yet?
From behind enema lines, Steeler writer Bob Labriola wrote a terrific article in which he questions the Browns' annointment as the favorites to win the AFC North.
Bob and I could probably debate this (over beers) for hours, because he is objective. He considered all the factors fairly.
I couldn't really find much wrong with his analyses; in fact have written much of the same stuff myself.
But I can pick on Bob a little:
1: For all the games since Freddie Kitchens (the liberator) took over, Baker Mayfield outperformed Big Ben (with a 108+ QBR).
2: The Steelers did have the best passrush last season, pre-Vernon and Wilkinson, and while Avery and Chad Thomas were rookies. This will probably change in 2019.
3: The Steelers DO still have the best offensive line, and that's vital, but:
The Browns will have the better Wide Receivers, defensive line, and probably secondary.
Leaving Bob Labriola, I need to re-address this "sophomore slump"/defenses figuring out quarterbacks stuff in re Baker Mayfield in more detail:
Defensive coordinators look for situations in which quarterbacks look bad. Now, with the help of people like PFF and Numberfire, they can read that data on EVERY snap the quarterback has played, so they can see stuff like:
How he does running left, vs right.
How accurate he is on crossing, vs vertical routes.
Does he hold the ball? Can he be confused?
Does he lose accuracy and strength in motion? Does he have to have his feet set?
Can he deliver DEEP?
To the sidelines (on a rope)?
Most young quarterbacks have expoitable weaknesses that show up in PFF's intricate numbers and on tape.
Baker Mayfield does not. That's not "fandom". It's a confirmed fact.
His shorter stature actually helps him, as he has better balance and takes shorter steps than the taller guys; he can bend and twist to execute powerful and accurate throws running to his left.
Wilson and Brees are shorter. Rodgers and Mahomes are less than an inch taller. See how that works? Of course, most of it is psychological and mental.
Elliot Kennel thinks the Browns are the most talented team in the NFL, and if you are laughing, slap yourself out of it.
I include the link out of respect to Elliott, but you won't find much that I haven't already told you here. But Kennel digs deeper and cites sources; he's more organized and thorough than I am.
That's why we now know that NINE current Browns have been Pro Bowlers. N I N E IX 9. And NONE of these nine is past his prime.
And in listing all the studs on this roster, Elliott left out Njoku.
That might be a meaningful omisson (got u, Elliott):
After initially dropping passes and stuff as a rookie (and early in his second season), David Njoku became a "money" receiver as soon as Baker Mayfield took over for Tyrod Taylor.
In fairness to Tyrod, David dropped some perfect passes from him. But something about Baker Mayfield just...made Njoku more reliable. I understand this intuitively, but don't have the words to write about it yet.
...anyway, John Dorsey "called" Njoku "out" in public for his mediocre pass-blocking, and Njoku replied "Challenge accepted"
As I have posted, Freddie Kitchens ran two (and sometimes three)-tight end offenses in 2018.
These personnel packages were important in neutralizing edge-rushers (and making Hubbard/Robinson look better in pass protection than they were).
Njoku excelled in run blocking, but screwed up too often in pass protection.
This is common for the new breed of tight ends who are really supersized Wide Receivers.
When "in-line", when a pass is called, they are expected to "chip block" a DE or OLB towards the Tackle, then go out for a pass.
These tight ends don't pay nearly as much attention to opposing edge-rushers as they do to the guys who will be trying to cover them as they do their film-study homework.
They also tend to think that giving an edge-rusher a "shove" before going out for a pass is good enough. They don't pay enough attention.
If the edge guy stunts inside, they don't look for the safety or corner coming from the outside. Sometimes, their "chip" blocks barely effect the edge-rusher at all, and they go into a pattern leaving the Offensive Tackle beaten.
Per PFF, Njoku was a good run-blocker but a bad pass protector in 2018. I have almost zero doubt that (thanks to Dorsey's public critique), David Njoku will be a REAL Tight End in 2019.
Most of you don't get this yet:
OBJ is here now, along with Landry. Then there's Callaway. Monken/Kitchens will want all 3 on the field as often as possible (with Njoku, of course duh).
Well, that's a spread offense.
David Njoku will NEED to swallow his pride and protect his quarterback as he targets other guys. John Dorsey just made damn sure he WILL.
Elliot Kimmel is brilliant, but not perfect.
David Njoku (as a REAL Tight End, as well as a supersized wide receiver) will be critical in 2019.
I'll get more into that later, if I live that long.
