The Browns' Depth Chart heading into joint practices with the Colts promoted ma man Nick Dudukovich to have 3 thoughts.
He wasn't his usual supersharp self:
I do agree 100% with Nick about Sheehy-Guiseppi, who is listed as the third punt returner.
Nick says this guy needs to test against real NFL players; he's earned it.
However 1: Special Teams aren't like Offense and Defense. A bunch of those 4th quarter "teamers" will end up in the NFL.
2: Guiseppi's teammates were as bad as Washington's coverage unit.
3: His ranking doesn't mean the Priefer won't use him early.
Nick thinks Right Guard looks "settled" with Kush, but Jake Burns sees some serious flaws in Kush, which he saw exposed vs the Redskins:
Jake said that Kush got bull-rushed into the backfield on pass plays, and that this was always his weak spot.
That's a huge red flag, because inside pressure is exactly the best way to attack Baker Mayfield, and if one DT can pull it off, Defenses won't need to blitze.
And it's a "safe" attack, because if it doesn't blow up a handoff, it forces any run outside.
So while Kush's rankings seem to indicate that he has won the RG Derby, it's not that simple.
Avery "starting" at SAM...Nick just went off the rails with false assumptions and bad reads on this one. I'll just redundate here:
1: Avery was a LINEBACKER in college. While he did blitze a lot, he was ok in coverage.
2: As a Browns' ROOKIE, Avery proved an already scary passrusher, and was used a lot in that role.
Nick really disappointed me talking about "failed experiments" and based on what a rookie player did in his rookie season.
Despite the additions of Mack Wilson and Sione Takitaki, Genard Avery remains the fastest and strongest linebacker on this roster.
I haven't seen the roster that Nick talks about, but if it looks like a 4-3 it's irrelevant, and Avery isn't a real starter in Steve Wilks' 4-2-5. Nor does it matter why the Browns did it that way--but it was probably for PR.
Mack Wilson was the highest graded player in the NFL for preseason week 1.
Per PFF, Wilson got pressures on both of his blitzes, in addition to his 2 interceptions.
He's getting these interceptions as a zone guy, by the way; ie not running with Tight Ends or Running Backs.
(I'm learning more about Wilks' scheme every day, despite superficial punditry).
Some are wondering if Wilson is a "flash in the pan". Probably not:
A rookie defender doesn't do this 4 days in a row. Do you think that opposing Offensive Coordinators will be game-planning around this kid or something?
Mack Wilson was rightfully "dinged" by real talent scouts for (I'm not sure) poor instincts/hesitation/bad reads vs the run, and that's why he slid to the 5th round.
Ok full circle: Try to keep up with me here:
1: Genard Avery, when he shows up, will stand up, and rush the passer more often than not. Opposing Offenses will have to assume that he is blitzing, and assign a blocker to him.
...so when he drops into coverage instead, one blocker is a minute late and a dollar short trying to stop somebody else.
...and he can cover (in zone)! And stop the run too. Avery is entering his second NFL season and is a physical freak. No offense to Nick Dudukovich, but let's not talk about "failed experiments" with this guy just yet.
2: Wilson makes Schobert and his Brinks truck tradeable, Takitaki makes Kirksey expendable, and...
Pearls before swine. Why do I bother?
Okbye
THIS JUST IN:
The Browns Offense reflects a 2-back with new Fullback Kerridge as a starter.
Nick? Come on, man!!!
Tuesday, August 13, 2019
Sunday, August 11, 2019
Browns vs Colts Scrimmage Great for Both Teams: Browns Tight Ends, Fullbacks, Offensive Line, Zone-Blocking
John Dorsey could not have picked a better team to scrimmage against in week 2. The 2019 Colts are at least almost as stacked as the Browns are on offense (with maybe a better offensive line).
On defense, find old freinds Jabaal Sheard and Pierre Desir.
T Y Hilton, Devin Funchess, Chester Rogers, Parris Campbell what are you kiddin me? These guys are really going to challenge the secondary!
Colts GM Chris Ballard has done a brilliant job with his roster; notably his nearly instantaneous upgrade of his Offensive Line.
Ballard and Dorsey are good freinds, which has a lot to do with why these two teams will be practicing against eachother. It will be great for both of them.
I should mention here that old veterans (like Easy Ed McCaffery of NFL Radio) tend to despise these intrasquad scrimmages;
The young guys fighting for roster spots are kind of desperate to make a big impression, so they take these opportunities to try to lay out non-teammates, and people can get hurt.
But I presume that Ballard and Dorsey will be right there, and the Coaches all over that stuff. I have a hunch they'll be paying extra attention to Sione Takitaki, who is kinda bloodthirsty.
New guy Steve Gessic Jr. might be one of my secret admirers, as he is the first non-me to have it dawn on him that Wilson and Takitaki could make Kirksey and Schobert expendable this season.
You can't blame me for being suspicious. Who else has been suggesting this?
(To review: Schobert's Brinks truck is due to back up after 2019, and Kirksey...well he's just not earning his big salary).
Steve says that Takitaki looked decent and Wilson was obviously amazing in coverage (again).
You people should understand that off-the-ball linebacker is not a big rocket science project type position, ok?
Certainly it's not like running back or anything, but an experienced rookie can often step right in.
Damarius Randall is a thorny issue, but Kirksey and Schobert vs Takitaki and Wilson...not so much. Deal with it.
John Keatly wrote a decent article on newly signed TE Rico Gathers, but that "clearly, they're not satisfied with depth behind Njoku" etc stuff is ignorant.
I told you LAST YEAR that Orson Charles was overrated (even as a fullback). DeValve is hurt (yet again--which is a problem in and of itself), but "clearly not satisfied" is hyperbole.
Anyway Gathers is a big skyscraper who I assume is expected to block like Demetrius Harris.
It starts to look like I was right about the 2019 Browns carrying 4 Tight Ends with 2 blockers and 2 move guys, and zero fullbacks.
(Ok well if DeValve could stay healthy for over 72 hours at a time he could line up back there...)
Look no further than the 2018 Browns offense under Freddie Kitchens, Sherlock:
Freddie used 2 Tight Ends a lot. That inverted Wishbone stuff was a knuckleball (and effective) but even here the 3 running backs were actual running backs.
And when you have questionable offensive tackles, the best way to help them (in pass pro) is with chipping Tight Ends...is any of this sinking in yet?
And then, if you're going to zone-block (for...oh I don't know...Nick Chubb?) those Tight Ends make a huge difference.
I didn't listen to Jake Burns' podcast about how the Browns need to be "proactive" about "fixing" the kicker situation.
I have to assume that Jake thinks the Browns need to get somebody else from somewhere else.
I really don't get this anti-Greg Joseph sentiment. Joseph has actually been pretty good for the Browns.
...is this because he missed an extra point last week? That's kinda like let's kick Dontrell Hilliard to the curb for his fumble, no?
Don't get me wrong now: If you can nail down a truly elite kicker, you should--but while Rodney Josephfield isn't elite, he is pretty good.
Maybe Jake had some specific stud kickers in mind, but if not...he is wrong.
But maybe I am wrong too, as Nick Dudukovich (and Tony Grossi) point out:
Nick asks which player lilipution WR Damon Sheehy-Guiseppi (pant-pant/relieved sigh) would push off the roster.
Grossi points out that the 2019 Browns have NOT been using 2 Tight Ends much, and might only carry 3 on the roster.
I hadn't realized the Tight End situation...
This is probably about OBJ and Monken...
I just gotta stipulate here: If the Offensive Tackles look weak vs Edge guys in pass pro, and/or they look useful as run-blockers in zone schemes, the Browns will keep 4 Tight Ends anyway.
Zero fullbacks, 3 running backs...what's the big deal?
Okbye.
On defense, find old freinds Jabaal Sheard and Pierre Desir.
T Y Hilton, Devin Funchess, Chester Rogers, Parris Campbell what are you kiddin me? These guys are really going to challenge the secondary!
Colts GM Chris Ballard has done a brilliant job with his roster; notably his nearly instantaneous upgrade of his Offensive Line.
Ballard and Dorsey are good freinds, which has a lot to do with why these two teams will be practicing against eachother. It will be great for both of them.
I should mention here that old veterans (like Easy Ed McCaffery of NFL Radio) tend to despise these intrasquad scrimmages;
The young guys fighting for roster spots are kind of desperate to make a big impression, so they take these opportunities to try to lay out non-teammates, and people can get hurt.
But I presume that Ballard and Dorsey will be right there, and the Coaches all over that stuff. I have a hunch they'll be paying extra attention to Sione Takitaki, who is kinda bloodthirsty.
New guy Steve Gessic Jr. might be one of my secret admirers, as he is the first non-me to have it dawn on him that Wilson and Takitaki could make Kirksey and Schobert expendable this season.
You can't blame me for being suspicious. Who else has been suggesting this?
(To review: Schobert's Brinks truck is due to back up after 2019, and Kirksey...well he's just not earning his big salary).
Steve says that Takitaki looked decent and Wilson was obviously amazing in coverage (again).
You people should understand that off-the-ball linebacker is not a big rocket science project type position, ok?
Certainly it's not like running back or anything, but an experienced rookie can often step right in.
Damarius Randall is a thorny issue, but Kirksey and Schobert vs Takitaki and Wilson...not so much. Deal with it.
John Keatly wrote a decent article on newly signed TE Rico Gathers, but that "clearly, they're not satisfied with depth behind Njoku" etc stuff is ignorant.
I told you LAST YEAR that Orson Charles was overrated (even as a fullback). DeValve is hurt (yet again--which is a problem in and of itself), but "clearly not satisfied" is hyperbole.
Anyway Gathers is a big skyscraper who I assume is expected to block like Demetrius Harris.
It starts to look like I was right about the 2019 Browns carrying 4 Tight Ends with 2 blockers and 2 move guys, and zero fullbacks.
(Ok well if DeValve could stay healthy for over 72 hours at a time he could line up back there...)
Look no further than the 2018 Browns offense under Freddie Kitchens, Sherlock:
Freddie used 2 Tight Ends a lot. That inverted Wishbone stuff was a knuckleball (and effective) but even here the 3 running backs were actual running backs.
And when you have questionable offensive tackles, the best way to help them (in pass pro) is with chipping Tight Ends...is any of this sinking in yet?
And then, if you're going to zone-block (for...oh I don't know...Nick Chubb?) those Tight Ends make a huge difference.
I didn't listen to Jake Burns' podcast about how the Browns need to be "proactive" about "fixing" the kicker situation.
I have to assume that Jake thinks the Browns need to get somebody else from somewhere else.
I really don't get this anti-Greg Joseph sentiment. Joseph has actually been pretty good for the Browns.
...is this because he missed an extra point last week? That's kinda like let's kick Dontrell Hilliard to the curb for his fumble, no?
Don't get me wrong now: If you can nail down a truly elite kicker, you should--but while Rodney Josephfield isn't elite, he is pretty good.
Maybe Jake had some specific stud kickers in mind, but if not...he is wrong.
But maybe I am wrong too, as Nick Dudukovich (and Tony Grossi) point out:
Nick asks which player lilipution WR Damon Sheehy-Guiseppi (pant-pant/relieved sigh) would push off the roster.
Grossi points out that the 2019 Browns have NOT been using 2 Tight Ends much, and might only carry 3 on the roster.
I hadn't realized the Tight End situation...
This is probably about OBJ and Monken...
I just gotta stipulate here: If the Offensive Tackles look weak vs Edge guys in pass pro, and/or they look useful as run-blockers in zone schemes, the Browns will keep 4 Tight Ends anyway.
Zero fullbacks, 3 running backs...what's the big deal?
Okbye.
Saturday, August 10, 2019
2019 Browns: Dontrell Hilliard, Derrick Willies, Brilliant Coaching, I told you so
First, this review of Dontrell Hilliard from day 13 of camp is a little more fair to him than calling him a "dud" vs the Redskins (with all due respect to Mr Dudukovich):
The Skins pretty much stuffed Hilliard when he took handoffs, and he fumbled and drew that costly penalty...ok Dude you got me he was a dud vs the Skins I stand abashed.
However, it was just one preseason game, and as Elliott Kennel points out, Hilliard (in only his second season) is a sweet receiver out of the backfield, is doing great in pass-protection, is (at least) an effective returner, and can r...well he's like Duke Johnson...like Randy Gurzi said last preseason.
You guys know I've been a Hilliard fan ever since.
Elliott Kennel did a nice piece on Derrick Willies, who is contending with Eric Murray as the "gunner" on coverage units.
This tells me that Willies has already made the final roster. Even if he's not THE gunner, he's very good at nailing returners (which is really unusual for a guy as tall as he is, with such an unimpressive clock-time).
My regulars know that predicted that Willies would make the final roster already (and was ranting about him last season before I even knew he was any good at Special Teams).
Rodney Mitchellfield isn't letting Greedy Williams take his job. In fact, this might be the closest competition between any 2 players on this roster.
Even as I was disgusted by those dumbass pundits who listed the need for a cornerback opposite Denzell Ward, hopping up and down waving my arms and pointing at Terrence Mitchell, who PFF ranked near the top of all cornerbacks, I figured that the taller, faster Greedy Williams would come right in and take his job.
I still think that, honestly, as Greedy vs the Skins proved he could tackle, (and I mean at or behind the line of scrimmage) as well as shut people down and get interceptions.
But Mitchell on Day 13 deflected 2 consecutive pinpoint Mayfield passes to Jaelen Strong in the end zone.
...Oops wrong link: Nick Snook says Strong just "dropped" those passes. I can't find the guy who credits Mitchell for the deflections, but I suspect he is right and Snook is wrong. Jaelen Strong has great hands.
Still, Nick singled out Terrence Mitchell as a top performer on Day 13, and is usually very good, so I'm not bashing him, and have not demoted him as a source.
I saved this: The Browns' coaches told the Redskins' coaches in advance that the Browns' Offense would start out in a hurry-up.
This is like Freddie/Todd telling the Browns' defense "we're going to run" so they can try to run when Steve Wilks and company see it coming.
Kitchens and co are truly maxing out Training Camp and preseason.
They have, from the start, stressed physicality. Nothing fancy. "We're gonna run it here, Steve. See if you can stop us."
This is exacty how I would do it, so obviously Freddie Kitchens is a genius (I rest my case).
The Redskins won't have an elite defense or anything, but well...you saw it. No OBJ or Landry...?
As QB Coach (Ryan?) Lindley points out, you really shouldn't "hurry up" all the time, no matter how good you are at it, because your own defense will wear down.
That's not strictly accurate, of course:
1: The "hurry-up" does NOT neccessarily preclude running plays (except in the extreme circumstances in which unimaginative blockeheaded Coaches use it ie only when they HAVE TO).
2: Once any team is down by 10+ points, they are pressured to pass more and run less. Obviously, there are tons of variables here, but the general idea is that:
If a hurry-up produces at least 3 points 90% of the time, and a TD 60+% of the time, you can use it "as neccessary", and should use it early to establish big leads, because:
Once it's futile for an opposing offense to run the ball any more vs the 2019 Browns, 3-and-outs are best-case scenarios, and here comes Nick Chubb.
3: While a bunch of pundits are stuck on Baker Mayfield's "volatility" (or whatever) and OBJ and Callaway's suspension and GOSSIP and stuff, only a rare few of us notice that:
The ROOKIE Baker Mayfield broke a bunch of Team and a couple NFL rookie records in 13.5 games (knock-knock anybody home!?!)
He did it with Higgins, Njoku, Landry, Callaway and errumm...well just whoever was there!
Willies was one of them (then got hurt). Jarvis Landry might have expected to be Baker's crutch "go-to" guy, but no.
Baker Mayfield has already conclusively proven that he is a "franchise" Quarterback. It almost doesn't matter who he has to hand off or throw to.
It's true! It's not just vs a weak defense in a preseason game, but Jake Burns (and PFF) spell this out over every snap of his R O O K I E season!
I hate to to redundate yet again, but dammit nobody GETS this:
When a Quarterback kicks ass, but you can't pick out his favorite receiver, that is a great Quarterback, see?
Let's compare Pat Mahomes in his second season to Mayfield in his first: Compare their respective WEAPONS (btw including HUNT) is any of this sinking in yet!?!
Don't get me wrong here: Pat Mahomes is almost a lock for the Hall of Fame, ok? I'm not even suggesting that Baker Mayfield is better than Mahomes, ok?
But Mayfield vs Mahomes? Oh HAYULL yes! It's already on, as far as the contenders are concerned.
Baker Mayfield left Texas Tech to walk on at Oklahoma when he found out that Mahomes was going to replace him as the starter.
1: The fact that Patrick and Baker are pals contradicts assertions that Baker is egotistical or selfish.
...Is any of this sinking in yet? Mahomes TOOK HIS JOB, ok? (and later in a head-to-head matchup racked up over SIX HUNDRED YARDS passing and running (vs Mayfield's paltry 400 or so)...
Baker Mayfield has been immature, but is not a punk. He should beat Pat Mahomes more often than not, because he's a stronger leader.
...okbye.
The Skins pretty much stuffed Hilliard when he took handoffs, and he fumbled and drew that costly penalty...ok Dude you got me he was a dud vs the Skins I stand abashed.
However, it was just one preseason game, and as Elliott Kennel points out, Hilliard (in only his second season) is a sweet receiver out of the backfield, is doing great in pass-protection, is (at least) an effective returner, and can r...well he's like Duke Johnson...like Randy Gurzi said last preseason.
You guys know I've been a Hilliard fan ever since.
Elliott Kennel did a nice piece on Derrick Willies, who is contending with Eric Murray as the "gunner" on coverage units.
This tells me that Willies has already made the final roster. Even if he's not THE gunner, he's very good at nailing returners (which is really unusual for a guy as tall as he is, with such an unimpressive clock-time).
My regulars know that predicted that Willies would make the final roster already (and was ranting about him last season before I even knew he was any good at Special Teams).
Rodney Mitchellfield isn't letting Greedy Williams take his job. In fact, this might be the closest competition between any 2 players on this roster.
Even as I was disgusted by those dumbass pundits who listed the need for a cornerback opposite Denzell Ward, hopping up and down waving my arms and pointing at Terrence Mitchell, who PFF ranked near the top of all cornerbacks, I figured that the taller, faster Greedy Williams would come right in and take his job.
I still think that, honestly, as Greedy vs the Skins proved he could tackle, (and I mean at or behind the line of scrimmage) as well as shut people down and get interceptions.
But Mitchell on Day 13 deflected 2 consecutive pinpoint Mayfield passes to Jaelen Strong in the end zone.
...Oops wrong link: Nick Snook says Strong just "dropped" those passes. I can't find the guy who credits Mitchell for the deflections, but I suspect he is right and Snook is wrong. Jaelen Strong has great hands.
Still, Nick singled out Terrence Mitchell as a top performer on Day 13, and is usually very good, so I'm not bashing him, and have not demoted him as a source.
I saved this: The Browns' coaches told the Redskins' coaches in advance that the Browns' Offense would start out in a hurry-up.
This is like Freddie/Todd telling the Browns' defense "we're going to run" so they can try to run when Steve Wilks and company see it coming.
Kitchens and co are truly maxing out Training Camp and preseason.
They have, from the start, stressed physicality. Nothing fancy. "We're gonna run it here, Steve. See if you can stop us."
This is exacty how I would do it, so obviously Freddie Kitchens is a genius (I rest my case).
The Redskins won't have an elite defense or anything, but well...you saw it. No OBJ or Landry...?
As QB Coach (Ryan?) Lindley points out, you really shouldn't "hurry up" all the time, no matter how good you are at it, because your own defense will wear down.
That's not strictly accurate, of course:
1: The "hurry-up" does NOT neccessarily preclude running plays (except in the extreme circumstances in which unimaginative blockeheaded Coaches use it ie only when they HAVE TO).
2: Once any team is down by 10+ points, they are pressured to pass more and run less. Obviously, there are tons of variables here, but the general idea is that:
If a hurry-up produces at least 3 points 90% of the time, and a TD 60+% of the time, you can use it "as neccessary", and should use it early to establish big leads, because:
Once it's futile for an opposing offense to run the ball any more vs the 2019 Browns, 3-and-outs are best-case scenarios, and here comes Nick Chubb.
3: While a bunch of pundits are stuck on Baker Mayfield's "volatility" (or whatever) and OBJ and Callaway's suspension and GOSSIP and stuff, only a rare few of us notice that:
The ROOKIE Baker Mayfield broke a bunch of Team and a couple NFL rookie records in 13.5 games (knock-knock anybody home!?!)
He did it with Higgins, Njoku, Landry, Callaway and errumm...well just whoever was there!
Willies was one of them (then got hurt). Jarvis Landry might have expected to be Baker's crutch "go-to" guy, but no.
Baker Mayfield has already conclusively proven that he is a "franchise" Quarterback. It almost doesn't matter who he has to hand off or throw to.
It's true! It's not just vs a weak defense in a preseason game, but Jake Burns (and PFF) spell this out over every snap of his R O O K I E season!
I hate to to redundate yet again, but dammit nobody GETS this:
When a Quarterback kicks ass, but you can't pick out his favorite receiver, that is a great Quarterback, see?
Let's compare Pat Mahomes in his second season to Mayfield in his first: Compare their respective WEAPONS (btw including HUNT) is any of this sinking in yet!?!
Don't get me wrong here: Pat Mahomes is almost a lock for the Hall of Fame, ok? I'm not even suggesting that Baker Mayfield is better than Mahomes, ok?
But Mayfield vs Mahomes? Oh HAYULL yes! It's already on, as far as the contenders are concerned.
Baker Mayfield left Texas Tech to walk on at Oklahoma when he found out that Mahomes was going to replace him as the starter.
1: The fact that Patrick and Baker are pals contradicts assertions that Baker is egotistical or selfish.
...Is any of this sinking in yet? Mahomes TOOK HIS JOB, ok? (and later in a head-to-head matchup racked up over SIX HUNDRED YARDS passing and running (vs Mayfield's paltry 400 or so)...
Baker Mayfield has been immature, but is not a punk. He should beat Pat Mahomes more often than not, because he's a stronger leader.
...okbye.
Thursday, August 8, 2019
Browns Bashing Bonanza Getting Insane. Johnson Trade, Randall, Schobert, DePodesta, Strategy, Mayfield
First, in their frenzied attempts for a lot of pundits to throw crap at Donald Trump the Cleveland Browns, now Freddie Kitchens is getting raked over the coals for responding to ex OL Coach Bob Wylie's comments.
Also, Baker Mayfield is being indicted for refusing to go inside with the other players so that he could autograph every last thing those visiting service people brought to sign.
It's amazing. Who wrote this "code" in which Head Coaches are just supposed to ignore comments like Wylie's?
I get those who say that Freddie wasted too much time in his long-winded answer (I assume he'll do better next time), but why is it a federal case?
The Mayfield-bashing is frankly outrageous. I mean, he was making sure that none of those young men and women who protect us all left empty-handed...and this is a bad thing?
Oh yeah--the Trump treatment: Another publicity stunt off the Mayfield hype machine: He only did it for himself jeez I'm so sick of you cynical jerks projecting your own flaws and motives into other people (obsessively, depending on the person).
Some people, led by Colon Cowturd, disliked Mayfield for some of his admittedly immature antics in college, and nothing he has done or will do will change their small minds about him.
Others symbolize why Freddie Kitchens never got promoted: He's a "good old boy) from 'Bama, and speaks without a filter between his brain and mouth...
And nothing he has done or will do will ever change their microscopic minds about Freddie, either.
A lot of other people are crabs: Toss a bunch of crabs into a pot. A few will make it to the rim...and the others will pull them back down.
The crabs are innocent, of course. They're only latching onto anything they can to climb higher. But the human crabs just hate everybody who (for example) gets picked to win the AFC North.
Check it out for yourself, now that you've read this post! You'll spot the crabs and haters a couple paragraphs in.
Of course, the majority of the coverage of the 2019 Browns (including some negative stuff) has been pretty fair and solid: Jerry Brewer of the Washington Post is a good example of a true analyst not governed by his prejudices or emotions.
Now, I personally noticed that Duke Johnson just got traded to the Texans for a fourth round pick which becomes a third rounder based on performance (a given, barring injury! Duke can line up at any WR position as well as RB, and Lamar Miller isn't very durable).
Too bad the Texans are top contenders who will draft at least in the bottom 10 of each round in 2020, but it's still a great deal for John Dorsey, given Duke's 2018 stats and salary.
Speaking of which, I checked Duke's Dead Money on overthecap.com based on a "post June 1st trade" and see 2.2 mil this year and 4.1 mil in 2020 in cap savings with a zero dead cap hit.
The combined savings are 6.3 mil, effective in 2020. This trade has recovered that much cap space, plus (trust me) a low third round 2020 draft pick forDePodesta Dorsey: Outstanding!
...of course, those of you who read this Blog are not surprised. I explained to you that with the balloon payments coming up,DePodesta Dorsey needs to start saving money and leaning harder on the draft right away if he doesn't want to lose his young core players.
...starting in 2020 with Tretter, Randall, and Schobert already. 2021 gets uglier...I don't want to talk about it (I just hurled).
But that's why I've been saying that there's a good chance that Joe Schobert (and his 2020 Brinks truck) might well be next, and so could Damarius Randall.
See my last post: Mack Wilson could replace Joe Schobert, even as a rookie.
Randall is harder to call. The dude truly will conceivably be THE best Free Safety in the NFL. Nobody on this roster could replace him; trading this player would unmistakeably downgrade Free Safety in 2019, so that's a tough call.
It's much, much deeper than that, of course:
1: If the Browns retain Randall through 2019 and he remains healthy, his salary demands will be unearthly, and he's probably a gmf.
2: Randall has great trade value right now for top contenders looking for that final piece to get them over the top. He could fetch a second rounder or more.
Now the real questions for the Browns' front office are:
1: Could trading Damarius Randall cost the 2019 Browns a Lombardi Trophy? Could Steve Wilks and the players who would replace him be enough?
2: Is a 2nd round draft pick (and more) worth that risk?
Sigh...Paul DePodesta's job is to build a DYNASTY. Freddie Kitchens, like every Head Coach, wants it NOWNOWNOW (so he doesn't get fired like most Head Coaches do in year 2 or 3--ps Haslam is different!?!)
John Dorsey built a top contender in KC, but also sent them to cap hell.
Paul DePodesta -sigh- isn't just the "moneyball guy" dammit! He's a pioneer in business analytics and a top consultant to Fortune 500 companies.
You idiots call him "that baseball guy" or "the moneyball guy" and pick on him for not being an NFL scout and stuff really!?!
Chief STRATEGY Officer, ok? Look "strategy" up in your Funk and Wagnall!
Anyway, DePodesta is the long-term thinker here, and (fortunately) is not subordinate to John Dorsey.
Most likely, the Schobert trade is settled, pending a reasonable offer. The Randall thing is still being contested.
If Damarius Randall plays beyond the first or second series vs the Redskins, he is being "showcased" (ditto Schobert--but that's more obvious, with Mack Wilson present and accounted for already).
Fanboys live in lala land, y'know? "PAY HIM!" Give me half again the NFL salary cap, and I could dominate the NFL. I'd just pay EVERYBODY, right?
Sorry guys. I know that my handfull of regulars are sentient, and that I just wasted some of your time.
Anyway I expect the Browns to punk the Skins in this meaningless game, simply because the Browns have more talent, from top to bottom.
Also, Baker Mayfield is being indicted for refusing to go inside with the other players so that he could autograph every last thing those visiting service people brought to sign.
It's amazing. Who wrote this "code" in which Head Coaches are just supposed to ignore comments like Wylie's?
I get those who say that Freddie wasted too much time in his long-winded answer (I assume he'll do better next time), but why is it a federal case?
The Mayfield-bashing is frankly outrageous. I mean, he was making sure that none of those young men and women who protect us all left empty-handed...and this is a bad thing?
Oh yeah--the Trump treatment: Another publicity stunt off the Mayfield hype machine: He only did it for himself jeez I'm so sick of you cynical jerks projecting your own flaws and motives into other people (obsessively, depending on the person).
Some people, led by Colon Cowturd, disliked Mayfield for some of his admittedly immature antics in college, and nothing he has done or will do will change their small minds about him.
Others symbolize why Freddie Kitchens never got promoted: He's a "good old boy) from 'Bama, and speaks without a filter between his brain and mouth...
And nothing he has done or will do will ever change their microscopic minds about Freddie, either.
A lot of other people are crabs: Toss a bunch of crabs into a pot. A few will make it to the rim...and the others will pull them back down.
The crabs are innocent, of course. They're only latching onto anything they can to climb higher. But the human crabs just hate everybody who (for example) gets picked to win the AFC North.
Check it out for yourself, now that you've read this post! You'll spot the crabs and haters a couple paragraphs in.
Of course, the majority of the coverage of the 2019 Browns (including some negative stuff) has been pretty fair and solid: Jerry Brewer of the Washington Post is a good example of a true analyst not governed by his prejudices or emotions.
Now, I personally noticed that Duke Johnson just got traded to the Texans for a fourth round pick which becomes a third rounder based on performance (a given, barring injury! Duke can line up at any WR position as well as RB, and Lamar Miller isn't very durable).
Too bad the Texans are top contenders who will draft at least in the bottom 10 of each round in 2020, but it's still a great deal for John Dorsey, given Duke's 2018 stats and salary.
Speaking of which, I checked Duke's Dead Money on overthecap.com based on a "post June 1st trade" and see 2.2 mil this year and 4.1 mil in 2020 in cap savings with a zero dead cap hit.
The combined savings are 6.3 mil, effective in 2020. This trade has recovered that much cap space, plus (trust me) a low third round 2020 draft pick for
...of course, those of you who read this Blog are not surprised. I explained to you that with the balloon payments coming up,
...starting in 2020 with Tretter, Randall, and Schobert already. 2021 gets uglier...I don't want to talk about it (I just hurled).
But that's why I've been saying that there's a good chance that Joe Schobert (and his 2020 Brinks truck) might well be next, and so could Damarius Randall.
See my last post: Mack Wilson could replace Joe Schobert, even as a rookie.
Randall is harder to call. The dude truly will conceivably be THE best Free Safety in the NFL. Nobody on this roster could replace him; trading this player would unmistakeably downgrade Free Safety in 2019, so that's a tough call.
It's much, much deeper than that, of course:
1: If the Browns retain Randall through 2019 and he remains healthy, his salary demands will be unearthly, and he's probably a gmf.
2: Randall has great trade value right now for top contenders looking for that final piece to get them over the top. He could fetch a second rounder or more.
Now the real questions for the Browns' front office are:
1: Could trading Damarius Randall cost the 2019 Browns a Lombardi Trophy? Could Steve Wilks and the players who would replace him be enough?
2: Is a 2nd round draft pick (and more) worth that risk?
Sigh...Paul DePodesta's job is to build a DYNASTY. Freddie Kitchens, like every Head Coach, wants it NOWNOWNOW (so he doesn't get fired like most Head Coaches do in year 2 or 3--ps Haslam is different!?!)
John Dorsey built a top contender in KC, but also sent them to cap hell.
Paul DePodesta -sigh- isn't just the "moneyball guy" dammit! He's a pioneer in business analytics and a top consultant to Fortune 500 companies.
You idiots call him "that baseball guy" or "the moneyball guy" and pick on him for not being an NFL scout and stuff really!?!
Chief STRATEGY Officer, ok? Look "strategy" up in your Funk and Wagnall!
Anyway, DePodesta is the long-term thinker here, and (fortunately) is not subordinate to John Dorsey.
Most likely, the Schobert trade is settled, pending a reasonable offer. The Randall thing is still being contested.
If Damarius Randall plays beyond the first or second series vs the Redskins, he is being "showcased" (ditto Schobert--but that's more obvious, with Mack Wilson present and accounted for already).
Fanboys live in lala land, y'know? "PAY HIM!" Give me half again the NFL salary cap, and I could dominate the NFL. I'd just pay EVERYBODY, right?
Sorry guys. I know that my handfull of regulars are sentient, and that I just wasted some of your time.
Anyway I expect the Browns to punk the Skins in this meaningless game, simply because the Browns have more talent, from top to bottom.
Browns Preseason Battles: Mack Wilson, Dontrell Hilliard, Schobert, Takitaki, Kush, Corbett
Pro Football Outsiders rank the 2019 Browns #1 for talent under 25 and, unlike many Memorex Morons, date this rebuild back to 2016.
As usual, the Outsiders incorrectly credit Sashi Brown instead of Paul DePodesta for the pre-Dorsey picks and signings (like Zeitler and Tretter).
Pre-Dorsey players acquired byDePodesta Brown include Larry Ogunjobi, Myles Garrett, Joe Schobert, Zeitler, and Tretter.
Players Dorsey got off trading DePodesta players and drafted with the extra draft picks he inherited include Denzel Ward, Damarius Randall, Odell Beckham Jr., Olivier Vernon, and I won't look the rest up, but there are more, ok?
But that's 8 stud (or star or superstar) players, see? So you can stick all that "analytics"-bashing in your ear, see?
John Dorsey has done a great job so far, using all those great draft picks and that massive pile of cash he got fromDePodesta Brown, but isn't perfect.
It's not looking too good for Austin Corbett, picked atop the second round in 2017.
Joe Thomas more or less confirms that Eric Kush has taken the lead in the Right Guard derby.
Some have seen Corbett atop the Depth Chart, and suggested that the Coaches intend to see how he does in a real game vs strangers to see how he responds to the greater pressure before making a decision.
Joel Cade, who seems to know a lot about Offensive Linemen, doesn't buy it, and expects Kush to play with the first team vs the Skins.
Joel expects Corbett (and Kalis) to work with the second and third teams, where they can get a ton more reps/put more on tape/develop faster).
Big Joe said it's not only how the specific player performs, but how he "meshes" or integrates with the guys next to him that factors into these decisions.
Kush has been there/done that, so he's probably better able to fit in between Tretter and Hubbard.
This has nothing to do with the physical talent of these guys; Austin Corbett has the edge in that department.
Tony Grossi seems to have the best coverage of Camp day 11.
He's the only one who "noticed" that rookie Linebacker Mack Wilson has 3 interceptions (2 for TDs) in 3 practices at a time when Freddie Kitchens and company are preaching about "stringing good practices together".
Speaking of Rodney Wilsonfield, Dan Justik thinks that he and fellow 2019 draft pick/roommate Sione Takitaki might be the perfect combo for years to come.
Wilson excels in coverage, but not so much vs the run. Takitaki is the opposite. (Note: both have broad-spectrum upsides; both can improve in their areas of weakness).
I need to re-address Mack Wilson here:
What would you do if you had 2 linebackers who were awesome in pass coverage, but inconsistent vs the run?
I hear ya! Ok but one is a rookie with 4 years left on his cheap contract, and the other is entering the final year of his first contract and preparing his 2020 Brinks truck?
Why--you try to trade the older one while you can, obviously! (Err...you get this is Joe Schobert, right?)
I may be jumping the gun here on Mack Wilson, but don't think so. He started for an elite college team and has respectable experience at the highest level.
Wilson was projected by some (non-idiots) as high as the first round. What dragged him down was what is most commonly described as his "hesitation" or "uncertainty" vs the run.
Wilson doesn't have the "instincts" of a Takitaki vs the run...
You've been hearing the phrase "run fits" from the players lately. Well, that's mostly linebackers and stong safeties, and it means they're supposed to charge into a specific gap to blow up a run at or behind scrimmage.
If you're right, you make a big play. But if you're wrong, the back cuts back or goes outside and you look like a goof.
Mack Wilson isn't "wired" like Sione Takitaki, but it's great that they're roommates and buds, because Sione can help Mack with this part of his game.
To be clear, Mack Wilson is a decent tackler, but hasn't been very good at playing "downhill".
Dan (as is his wont) overstates Takitaki's weakness in coverage, by the way. He's a perfectly competent backpedal and stand there coverage linebacker, with picks and deflections on his resume (like Rodney Averyfield).
Anyway, Mack Wilson is kicking ass, and Joe Schobert and his Brinks truck (and gun and ski-mask) are expendable DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
So is Kirksy, but they can't get anything for him, plus he really is a strong team leader, and solid vs the run, so I'm backing off dumping him, despite his inflated salary.
By the way here's something else that (zzinnggg!) none of you noticed that I did: It's Takitaki who is keeping Wilson awake calling out plays at night.
Takitaki is being trained to call plays. Wilson is not. Those of you who are capable can think about that. Those who are not need to stay tuned until I spell it out for you.
I've fallen slightly out of love with Willies and into like with Jaelen Strong (aint I fickle?)
Strong has been rightfully compared to Dwayne Bowe. That's why the Texans drafted him in the 3rd round in 2015.
He got injured and suspended and stuff and bounced around for awhile, but now appears healthy, and has been the most reliable receiver below the top four in camp so far.
Strong is...well he could become like Dwayne Bowe indeed, and I'll buy that for a dollar!
...I know I just lost some of you. Ok:
You see, some receivers can't go deep all the time! No really! They actually just sorta get open and push Defensive Backs around and you know...don't drop anything?
Oh. I'm sorry: You see, not dropping passes is (believe it or not) more important than how far downfield you are when you drop a pass!!! HONEST!!!
Jaelen Strong has said he's tried to slim down and speed up of late, but he's still very physical, and likes blocking.
If I were to bet on the 5th and 6th WR slots for the 2019 Browns, I'd pick Willies and Strong. (Call that a prediction...err...for the moment, sorta...)
Garrett Gilbert should also become the #2 Quarterback since he is...you know, better than the massively-overrated Drew Stanton (by the way who do you think Rodney Wilsonfield is intercepting once per practice H I N T. H I N T)....
Dontrell Hilliard will obviously kick ass...
The pundits don't get this yet. Hilliard was never a "project", or even a big question mark. Running backs often come from college needing to improve as blockers or receivers, but the "running" part is already there.
Dontrell Hilliard is a little taller and bigger than Saint Duke, and has literally replaced him during this offseason. Dorsey knew that Duke Johnson was expendable last season (because of Hilliard)...
Why don't you GET this!?!
Dumbasses...well the Cornerback battle between Greedy Williams and Rodney Mitchellfield makes more sense.
Cornerback is much tougher than cornerback, and Wilks will use a little zone outside, and off-man...and then there's the tackling stuff, so Terrence Mitchell maintains a lead on Greedy.
...okbye
As usual, the Outsiders incorrectly credit Sashi Brown instead of Paul DePodesta for the pre-Dorsey picks and signings (like Zeitler and Tretter).
Pre-Dorsey players acquired by
Players Dorsey got off trading DePodesta players and drafted with the extra draft picks he inherited include Denzel Ward, Damarius Randall, Odell Beckham Jr., Olivier Vernon, and I won't look the rest up, but there are more, ok?
But that's 8 stud (or star or superstar) players, see? So you can stick all that "analytics"-bashing in your ear, see?
John Dorsey has done a great job so far, using all those great draft picks and that massive pile of cash he got from
It's not looking too good for Austin Corbett, picked atop the second round in 2017.
Joe Thomas more or less confirms that Eric Kush has taken the lead in the Right Guard derby.
Some have seen Corbett atop the Depth Chart, and suggested that the Coaches intend to see how he does in a real game vs strangers to see how he responds to the greater pressure before making a decision.
Joel Cade, who seems to know a lot about Offensive Linemen, doesn't buy it, and expects Kush to play with the first team vs the Skins.
Joel expects Corbett (and Kalis) to work with the second and third teams, where they can get a ton more reps/put more on tape/develop faster).
Big Joe said it's not only how the specific player performs, but how he "meshes" or integrates with the guys next to him that factors into these decisions.
Kush has been there/done that, so he's probably better able to fit in between Tretter and Hubbard.
This has nothing to do with the physical talent of these guys; Austin Corbett has the edge in that department.
Tony Grossi seems to have the best coverage of Camp day 11.
He's the only one who "noticed" that rookie Linebacker Mack Wilson has 3 interceptions (2 for TDs) in 3 practices at a time when Freddie Kitchens and company are preaching about "stringing good practices together".
Speaking of Rodney Wilsonfield, Dan Justik thinks that he and fellow 2019 draft pick/roommate Sione Takitaki might be the perfect combo for years to come.
Wilson excels in coverage, but not so much vs the run. Takitaki is the opposite. (Note: both have broad-spectrum upsides; both can improve in their areas of weakness).
I need to re-address Mack Wilson here:
What would you do if you had 2 linebackers who were awesome in pass coverage, but inconsistent vs the run?
I hear ya! Ok but one is a rookie with 4 years left on his cheap contract, and the other is entering the final year of his first contract and preparing his 2020 Brinks truck?
Why--you try to trade the older one while you can, obviously! (Err...you get this is Joe Schobert, right?)
I may be jumping the gun here on Mack Wilson, but don't think so. He started for an elite college team and has respectable experience at the highest level.
Wilson was projected by some (non-idiots) as high as the first round. What dragged him down was what is most commonly described as his "hesitation" or "uncertainty" vs the run.
Wilson doesn't have the "instincts" of a Takitaki vs the run...
You've been hearing the phrase "run fits" from the players lately. Well, that's mostly linebackers and stong safeties, and it means they're supposed to charge into a specific gap to blow up a run at or behind scrimmage.
If you're right, you make a big play. But if you're wrong, the back cuts back or goes outside and you look like a goof.
Mack Wilson isn't "wired" like Sione Takitaki, but it's great that they're roommates and buds, because Sione can help Mack with this part of his game.
To be clear, Mack Wilson is a decent tackler, but hasn't been very good at playing "downhill".
Dan (as is his wont) overstates Takitaki's weakness in coverage, by the way. He's a perfectly competent backpedal and stand there coverage linebacker, with picks and deflections on his resume (like Rodney Averyfield).
Anyway, Mack Wilson is kicking ass, and Joe Schobert and his Brinks truck (and gun and ski-mask) are expendable DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
So is Kirksy, but they can't get anything for him, plus he really is a strong team leader, and solid vs the run, so I'm backing off dumping him, despite his inflated salary.
By the way here's something else that (zzinnggg!) none of you noticed that I did: It's Takitaki who is keeping Wilson awake calling out plays at night.
Takitaki is being trained to call plays. Wilson is not. Those of you who are capable can think about that. Those who are not need to stay tuned until I spell it out for you.
I've fallen slightly out of love with Willies and into like with Jaelen Strong (aint I fickle?)
Strong has been rightfully compared to Dwayne Bowe. That's why the Texans drafted him in the 3rd round in 2015.
He got injured and suspended and stuff and bounced around for awhile, but now appears healthy, and has been the most reliable receiver below the top four in camp so far.
Strong is...well he could become like Dwayne Bowe indeed, and I'll buy that for a dollar!
...I know I just lost some of you. Ok:
You see, some receivers can't go deep all the time! No really! They actually just sorta get open and push Defensive Backs around and you know...don't drop anything?
Oh. I'm sorry: You see, not dropping passes is (believe it or not) more important than how far downfield you are when you drop a pass!!! HONEST!!!
Jaelen Strong has said he's tried to slim down and speed up of late, but he's still very physical, and likes blocking.
If I were to bet on the 5th and 6th WR slots for the 2019 Browns, I'd pick Willies and Strong. (Call that a prediction...err...for the moment, sorta...)
Garrett Gilbert should also become the #2 Quarterback since he is...you know, better than the massively-overrated Drew Stanton (by the way who do you think Rodney Wilsonfield is intercepting once per practice H I N T. H I N T)....
Dontrell Hilliard will obviously kick ass...
The pundits don't get this yet. Hilliard was never a "project", or even a big question mark. Running backs often come from college needing to improve as blockers or receivers, but the "running" part is already there.
Dontrell Hilliard is a little taller and bigger than Saint Duke, and has literally replaced him during this offseason. Dorsey knew that Duke Johnson was expendable last season (because of Hilliard)...
Why don't you GET this!?!
Dumbasses...well the Cornerback battle between Greedy Williams and Rodney Mitchellfield makes more sense.
Cornerback is much tougher than cornerback, and Wilks will use a little zone outside, and off-man...and then there's the tackling stuff, so Terrence Mitchell maintains a lead on Greedy.
...okbye
Tuesday, August 6, 2019
Idiotic Cleveland Browns Alleged Analysis. Baker Mayfield, Odell Beckam Jr, Freddie Kitchens, 2019 Browns, Browns Bashing
Bob Wylie: You weren't fired. Your contract expired. And you were one of the lowest-graded Offensive Line Coaches in the NFL.
Freddie Kitchens: You might be able to stop actual leaks, but not guys like me (who get called "inside sources") from expressing their opinions.
By the way, one of those opinions was that Todd Haley was forced on the almost winless Hue Jackson to keep his job, and Haley ran the offense (into the ground) until he was fired too.
Think I was right?
Jason Whitlock is really desperate for something controversial to talk about. He's even worse than Colon Cowturd!
He's never specific, so we're left to wonder...Baker Mayfield will turn on Freddie Kitchens if things go badly? Or...OBJ and Mayfield will feud and get some of it on Freddie?
All this "strong personality" crap is like "dysfunction" was a couple years ago, and right about now it means about as much as "racism" does.
In fact, I herebye confiscate the phrase "strong personalities". It will be returned to you when you prove you can use it correctly and in context only.
Jason Whitlock (whoever he is) seems to think that Baker Mayfield and OBJ are not just fiery and competitive, but also childish, selfish, and stupid (you know--like Freddie Kitchens stupid?)
These people are utterly clueless about psychology, sociology, social dynamics, and the "personalities" they're yammering about.
I agree with a lot of them that Mayfield's whole treatment of Hue Jackson was childish and even stupid, and his comments about Duke Johnson were even more stupid, but he's otherwise been damn near perfect.
1: He never said a word about Des Harrison, his starting Left Tackle. But after the first game in which Greg Robinson started in his place, he heaped praise on his new Left Tackle. He clearly thought Harrison sucked, but kept it private.
2: As with Harrison, Baker Mayfield never knocked any of his teammates, but instead singled guys out here and there for praise.
3: He enthusiasticly celebrates with and cheers on all his teammates, offensive and defensive. He sometimes yells at guys, but also sometimes hurries to talk to them after a dropped pass to reassure and encourage them (and does this in games that count).
4: Mayfield never bashed either Haley or Jackson while they were with the team. In fact he's the same way with all players and coaches.
This kid knows exactly what he's doing, and is a team player. Hell, he wastes time on social media defending his teammates.
That's a big part of why his offensive and defensive teammates will run through walls for him.
The other part of that, of course, is that he throws a lot of touchdown passes (especially in the red zone where it's tougher), and converts 3rd and longs, and is only entering his second season.
Baker Mayfield is the only charismatic young Quarterback, including his arch-rival and good freind Pat Mahomes. Mayfield is a born leader.
Guys like Whitlock and Cowturd try to make this a bad thing?
OBJ (redundancy alert) is being wrongly and stupidly confused with Antonio Brown: OBJ clowned around a lot, but he never overtly knocked his teammates. He shows up for practices and meetings, and is not a "mememe" guy!!!
This Whitlock guy wildly guesses that Baker Mayfield and OBJ (and Myles Garrett for all I know) will...self-combust in a 4-way civil war? Stage a mutinee vs Kitchens?
If Whitlock's (and Cowturd's) analyses weren't so clueless, they'd be funny. As it is, they're just sad.
On day 11 WR contender Derrick Willies had a bad day, and so did the defense (except for some turnovers).
I only mention Willies because in my last post I predicted that he'd make the final roster.
On the other hand, Antonio Callaway shined with Drew Stanton and the second team with 2 TDs.
All but dismissed in the linked analysis was another pick 6 by Rodney Wilsonfield.
DC Steve Wilks, in comments nobody else paid any attention to, said (something like) "it's hard to match up with opposing tight ends in coverage. They overmatch most safeties. Mack Wilson can cover those guys."
While most pundits are fixated on "Big Personalities", we few real analysts care about the X's and O's and nitty-gritty:
Mack Wilson might displace Jermaine Whitehead as the "hybrid". Wilson (a true linebacker who can do linebacker stuff) has so far overtaken Whitehead in coverage.
It's not reflected in the depth chart yet. Austin Corbett is also the Starting RG there.
And do I have to spell out every...well of course I do:
The depth charts are based on 3-4 or 4-3 alignments, despite the fact that every defense fields at least 5 "defensive backs" 80% of the time.
By the time the Browns get to the regular season, their REAL "starting" defense will probably include Mack Wilson.
...I know I'm confusing a lot of you, but Rodney Wilsonfield is probably better than Whitehead as a starter at a position you never thought existed, because you never comprehended it in the first place...no offense...
Freddie Kitchens: You might be able to stop actual leaks, but not guys like me (who get called "inside sources") from expressing their opinions.
By the way, one of those opinions was that Todd Haley was forced on the almost winless Hue Jackson to keep his job, and Haley ran the offense (into the ground) until he was fired too.
Think I was right?
Jason Whitlock is really desperate for something controversial to talk about. He's even worse than Colon Cowturd!
He's never specific, so we're left to wonder...Baker Mayfield will turn on Freddie Kitchens if things go badly? Or...OBJ and Mayfield will feud and get some of it on Freddie?
All this "strong personality" crap is like "dysfunction" was a couple years ago, and right about now it means about as much as "racism" does.
In fact, I herebye confiscate the phrase "strong personalities". It will be returned to you when you prove you can use it correctly and in context only.
Jason Whitlock (whoever he is) seems to think that Baker Mayfield and OBJ are not just fiery and competitive, but also childish, selfish, and stupid (you know--like Freddie Kitchens stupid?)
These people are utterly clueless about psychology, sociology, social dynamics, and the "personalities" they're yammering about.
I agree with a lot of them that Mayfield's whole treatment of Hue Jackson was childish and even stupid, and his comments about Duke Johnson were even more stupid, but he's otherwise been damn near perfect.
1: He never said a word about Des Harrison, his starting Left Tackle. But after the first game in which Greg Robinson started in his place, he heaped praise on his new Left Tackle. He clearly thought Harrison sucked, but kept it private.
2: As with Harrison, Baker Mayfield never knocked any of his teammates, but instead singled guys out here and there for praise.
3: He enthusiasticly celebrates with and cheers on all his teammates, offensive and defensive. He sometimes yells at guys, but also sometimes hurries to talk to them after a dropped pass to reassure and encourage them (and does this in games that count).
4: Mayfield never bashed either Haley or Jackson while they were with the team. In fact he's the same way with all players and coaches.
This kid knows exactly what he's doing, and is a team player. Hell, he wastes time on social media defending his teammates.
That's a big part of why his offensive and defensive teammates will run through walls for him.
The other part of that, of course, is that he throws a lot of touchdown passes (especially in the red zone where it's tougher), and converts 3rd and longs, and is only entering his second season.
Baker Mayfield is the only charismatic young Quarterback, including his arch-rival and good freind Pat Mahomes. Mayfield is a born leader.
Guys like Whitlock and Cowturd try to make this a bad thing?
OBJ (redundancy alert) is being wrongly and stupidly confused with Antonio Brown: OBJ clowned around a lot, but he never overtly knocked his teammates. He shows up for practices and meetings, and is not a "mememe" guy!!!
This Whitlock guy wildly guesses that Baker Mayfield and OBJ (and Myles Garrett for all I know) will...self-combust in a 4-way civil war? Stage a mutinee vs Kitchens?
If Whitlock's (and Cowturd's) analyses weren't so clueless, they'd be funny. As it is, they're just sad.
On day 11 WR contender Derrick Willies had a bad day, and so did the defense (except for some turnovers).
I only mention Willies because in my last post I predicted that he'd make the final roster.
On the other hand, Antonio Callaway shined with Drew Stanton and the second team with 2 TDs.
All but dismissed in the linked analysis was another pick 6 by Rodney Wilsonfield.
DC Steve Wilks, in comments nobody else paid any attention to, said (something like) "it's hard to match up with opposing tight ends in coverage. They overmatch most safeties. Mack Wilson can cover those guys."
While most pundits are fixated on "Big Personalities", we few real analysts care about the X's and O's and nitty-gritty:
Mack Wilson might displace Jermaine Whitehead as the "hybrid". Wilson (a true linebacker who can do linebacker stuff) has so far overtaken Whitehead in coverage.
It's not reflected in the depth chart yet. Austin Corbett is also the Starting RG there.
And do I have to spell out every...well of course I do:
The depth charts are based on 3-4 or 4-3 alignments, despite the fact that every defense fields at least 5 "defensive backs" 80% of the time.
By the time the Browns get to the regular season, their REAL "starting" defense will probably include Mack Wilson.
...I know I'm confusing a lot of you, but Rodney Wilsonfield is probably better than Whitehead as a starter at a position you never thought existed, because you never comprehended it in the first place...
Sunday, August 4, 2019
Browns Roster Decisions Getting Closer. Pharoah Brown, Derrick Willies, Seth DeValve, AFC North, Superbowl Prospects 2019 Browns
The Orange and Brown scrimmage is over now, and Jake Burns, my go-to analyst, got right on it with a list of the players he felt helped or hurt themselves.
Jake simply had to mention first that Myles Garrett was lining up on both sides, and inside, and messing the offense up constantly.
That does bear mentioning, because I told you that Garrett and Vernon would switch sides a lot.
Tight End Pharoah Brown looked good, and that's more significant than most pundits think, as Orson Charles isn't nearly as good as they think he is (including as a blockimg fullback).
When the Browns signed Pharoah I told you he had some talent. He's a good blocker, and Jake says he needed a couple catches last night, because he hasn't been productive enough on that side in camp.
Brown is a real Tight End; no fullback gimmickry with this guy. He blocks and is a big inside or red zone target. If he made the team, he'd mainly back up Demetrius Harris, while (I think) DeValve would back Njoku.
...however I'm worried about DeValve, as he is dinged up way too often--talent or no, that gets guys cut.
Eric Kush has taken the lead in the Right Guard Derby according to Jake. He says Kush needs to anchor better, but has been doing best, while Austin Corbett had a lousy night.
It's still early, but...
DT Danny Ekuale had a great time (probably at least partly against Corbett) at Ogunjobi's zero-shade spot.
Some of what Jake said is important, like that Danny kept the offensive linemen off the linebackers vs zone-blocking schemes. That's a biggee, because it means he's not letting the center disengage from him when the guard moves over to "relieve" him (take over the block).
This is hard to do without (being caught for) holding. Doug Dieken eat your heart out.
But Jake said that Ekuale was also in the offensive backfield a lot. Jake Burns thinks Danny Ekuale is quality depth now. I will point out that he's also very young and inexperienced, so his best days are ahead of him.
While Right Guard is still up in the air, at least half of the DT depth question seems to have been answered by another John Dorsey free agent signing.
Drew Forbes had a bad day at guard, but Jake (me too) is reserving judgement. He is brand new and was a left tackle. Jake also isn't sure himself yet if Forbes is a tackle or a guard.
Drew Stanton had a bad night, and Jake wonders if he might fall to third on the QB depth chart like I (blush-blush) suggested several weeks ago.
Look: Drew Stanton is a bad Quarterback. Wins and losses don't change that. He has always had a low completion percentage and too many interceptions. I really like the guy personally, but business is business, right?
And Seifert. Missed 2 from the mid 40's.
Pun intended, Rodney Josephfield has been kicking Seifert's butt all along. Now watch Gurzi or somebody predict that John Dorsey might keep Seifert anyway because he spent a whole entire 5th round pick on him...jeez...
But Gurzi really nails the 5 things that could win the Browns a 2019 Lombardi Trophy, and all of them are perfectly reasonable if you look at history.
First, Freddie Kitchens needs to come through. Then, the defense needs to be elite (check the roster again ok?)
Landry/OBJ need to work like they did at LSU? Nah! Randy gets stuck on labels sometimes, but I'm here to help:
Instead of that, just say the top 3 wide receivers have to kick ass, whoever they are.
OBJ has missed many, many games with injuries. Landry has been the opposite, but one could say he's "due".
Mayfield needs to blossom into a superstar check. Well he almost can't help it, right?
The biggest issue is really the offensive line. This team is far from perfect, and they'll have to coach their way around shaky tackles and stuff.
That's up to Freddie, Todd, and Mayfield (who is being listened to--how refreshing!)
I'm officially predicting that Derrick Willies will nab one of the last 2 WR roster spots, now that I know he's a valued special teamer.
To redundationalize, Willies is the only skyscraper WR on the roster, which makes him unique; as in a change-up or curve ball unique.
Further, Willies has proven he belongs in the NFL in real NFL games that mattered, and vs possibly the best secondary in the NFL...as a rookie.
Damion Ratley, like DeValve, is looking fragile.
I like Strong a lot, as a tall RB playing WR; a real powerful guy who likes to block--but now I'm dissing Hyman, Baker, Montgomery...sorry guys there are just too many of you!
Sheehy-Guiseppi won't make the final roster unless it's as a special teamer. The Browns are eyeball deep in slot receivers already.
But I believe the majority of the WR's released by the 2019 Browns will remain in the NFL...wow-pinch me!
John Steigerwald asked "which AFC North team is most delusional" about 2019?
It turned out to be a pretty smart and insightful article. John picks the Ravens to win the Division, and backs it up with facts and logic...however...
1: The Steelers don't expect to have a better offense in 2019. They expect to have a better defense, thanks to significant upgrades. The offense will just have to scrape by as merely one of the most prolific in the NFL again (sigh).
2: Stop it: Baker Mayfield was a "solid" Quarterback under Mywayorthehighway Haley, and an elite quarterback under Kitchens...as a R O O K I E. DO YOU U N D E R S T A N D?
"Solid" 🖕. John stipulates Kareem Hunt, skips Beckham Vernon Richardson Williams etc in his haste to get to his Ravens.
Whoa there, pard! Why exactly are the Browns or their pundits or their fans delusional?
I mean you call Mayfield "solid" and mention Hunt and that's it?
Yeah the Ravens finished 6-1 to win the Division...by just barely squeaking by the Browns (who had beaten them earlier) in Baltimore.
And that linebacker who intercepted that pass to seal the Ravens win? GONE, along with both of the other starters.
Yeah Harbaugh gets the Big Brass Balls trophy for staking his carreer on Lamar Jackson and changing his whole offense to suit this freak (John got all this 100% right), and yes indeed that offense will me tough to stop.
But really, the way John just brushes the Steelers and Browns off like dandruff blows an otherwise terrific analysis to hell. Sad.
I'm sure that John and I would get along fine and have a (rare) debate. I would win, of course, because he never bothered to research my Browns...see how that works?
Myles Garrett has managed to trim down to 262 lbs (while getting stronger). I gotta wonder if his bodyfat percentage is even survivable. I mean this guy never stops amazing me.
Naturally, he'll be even quicker and faster than he was at 272 lbs. Jake just saw that in the freindly-fire scrimmage. Myles might also have better endurance.
Like Jake says, opposing offenses will have to change things based on where Myles Garrett lines up (which like I predicted will be everywhere).
Huge monkey-wrench! But it's worse than that for the offense, because the Defensive Coordinator can predict how the offense will adjust to Garrett, and exploit it.
Deeper yet, Wilks will be able to anticipate if a given offense will try to run AT Garrett, or away from him; if they'll use 2 tight ends, a fullback...roll away from him or over him...
Every defensive coach wants a guy like this, because he can force an offense to do predictable things; ie "dictate" to them.
Get it? Garrett is here. That tackle can't handle him, so they need the Tight End to chip, and if he's not there, it's probably a run or a rollout to the right, so we---
Okbye
Jake simply had to mention first that Myles Garrett was lining up on both sides, and inside, and messing the offense up constantly.
That does bear mentioning, because I told you that Garrett and Vernon would switch sides a lot.
Tight End Pharoah Brown looked good, and that's more significant than most pundits think, as Orson Charles isn't nearly as good as they think he is (including as a blockimg fullback).
When the Browns signed Pharoah I told you he had some talent. He's a good blocker, and Jake says he needed a couple catches last night, because he hasn't been productive enough on that side in camp.
Brown is a real Tight End; no fullback gimmickry with this guy. He blocks and is a big inside or red zone target. If he made the team, he'd mainly back up Demetrius Harris, while (I think) DeValve would back Njoku.
...however I'm worried about DeValve, as he is dinged up way too often--talent or no, that gets guys cut.
Eric Kush has taken the lead in the Right Guard Derby according to Jake. He says Kush needs to anchor better, but has been doing best, while Austin Corbett had a lousy night.
It's still early, but...
DT Danny Ekuale had a great time (probably at least partly against Corbett) at Ogunjobi's zero-shade spot.
Some of what Jake said is important, like that Danny kept the offensive linemen off the linebackers vs zone-blocking schemes. That's a biggee, because it means he's not letting the center disengage from him when the guard moves over to "relieve" him (take over the block).
This is hard to do without (being caught for) holding. Doug Dieken eat your heart out.
But Jake said that Ekuale was also in the offensive backfield a lot. Jake Burns thinks Danny Ekuale is quality depth now. I will point out that he's also very young and inexperienced, so his best days are ahead of him.
While Right Guard is still up in the air, at least half of the DT depth question seems to have been answered by another John Dorsey free agent signing.
Drew Forbes had a bad day at guard, but Jake (me too) is reserving judgement. He is brand new and was a left tackle. Jake also isn't sure himself yet if Forbes is a tackle or a guard.
Drew Stanton had a bad night, and Jake wonders if he might fall to third on the QB depth chart like I (blush-blush) suggested several weeks ago.
Look: Drew Stanton is a bad Quarterback. Wins and losses don't change that. He has always had a low completion percentage and too many interceptions. I really like the guy personally, but business is business, right?
And Seifert. Missed 2 from the mid 40's.
Pun intended, Rodney Josephfield has been kicking Seifert's butt all along. Now watch Gurzi or somebody predict that John Dorsey might keep Seifert anyway because he spent a whole entire 5th round pick on him...jeez...
But Gurzi really nails the 5 things that could win the Browns a 2019 Lombardi Trophy, and all of them are perfectly reasonable if you look at history.
First, Freddie Kitchens needs to come through. Then, the defense needs to be elite (check the roster again ok?)
Landry/OBJ need to work like they did at LSU? Nah! Randy gets stuck on labels sometimes, but I'm here to help:
Instead of that, just say the top 3 wide receivers have to kick ass, whoever they are.
OBJ has missed many, many games with injuries. Landry has been the opposite, but one could say he's "due".
Mayfield needs to blossom into a superstar check. Well he almost can't help it, right?
The biggest issue is really the offensive line. This team is far from perfect, and they'll have to coach their way around shaky tackles and stuff.
That's up to Freddie, Todd, and Mayfield (who is being listened to--how refreshing!)
I'm officially predicting that Derrick Willies will nab one of the last 2 WR roster spots, now that I know he's a valued special teamer.
To redundationalize, Willies is the only skyscraper WR on the roster, which makes him unique; as in a change-up or curve ball unique.
Further, Willies has proven he belongs in the NFL in real NFL games that mattered, and vs possibly the best secondary in the NFL...as a rookie.
Damion Ratley, like DeValve, is looking fragile.
I like Strong a lot, as a tall RB playing WR; a real powerful guy who likes to block--but now I'm dissing Hyman, Baker, Montgomery...sorry guys there are just too many of you!
Sheehy-Guiseppi won't make the final roster unless it's as a special teamer. The Browns are eyeball deep in slot receivers already.
But I believe the majority of the WR's released by the 2019 Browns will remain in the NFL...wow-pinch me!
John Steigerwald asked "which AFC North team is most delusional" about 2019?
It turned out to be a pretty smart and insightful article. John picks the Ravens to win the Division, and backs it up with facts and logic...however...
1: The Steelers don't expect to have a better offense in 2019. They expect to have a better defense, thanks to significant upgrades. The offense will just have to scrape by as merely one of the most prolific in the NFL again (sigh).
2: Stop it: Baker Mayfield was a "solid" Quarterback under Mywayorthehighway Haley, and an elite quarterback under Kitchens...as a R O O K I E. DO YOU U N D E R S T A N D?
"Solid" 🖕. John stipulates Kareem Hunt, skips Beckham Vernon Richardson Williams etc in his haste to get to his Ravens.
Whoa there, pard! Why exactly are the Browns or their pundits or their fans delusional?
I mean you call Mayfield "solid" and mention Hunt and that's it?
Yeah the Ravens finished 6-1 to win the Division...by just barely squeaking by the Browns (who had beaten them earlier) in Baltimore.
And that linebacker who intercepted that pass to seal the Ravens win? GONE, along with both of the other starters.
Yeah Harbaugh gets the Big Brass Balls trophy for staking his carreer on Lamar Jackson and changing his whole offense to suit this freak (John got all this 100% right), and yes indeed that offense will me tough to stop.
But really, the way John just brushes the Steelers and Browns off like dandruff blows an otherwise terrific analysis to hell. Sad.
I'm sure that John and I would get along fine and have a (rare) debate. I would win, of course, because he never bothered to research my Browns...see how that works?
Myles Garrett has managed to trim down to 262 lbs (while getting stronger). I gotta wonder if his bodyfat percentage is even survivable. I mean this guy never stops amazing me.
Naturally, he'll be even quicker and faster than he was at 272 lbs. Jake just saw that in the freindly-fire scrimmage. Myles might also have better endurance.
Like Jake says, opposing offenses will have to change things based on where Myles Garrett lines up (which like I predicted will be everywhere).
Huge monkey-wrench! But it's worse than that for the offense, because the Defensive Coordinator can predict how the offense will adjust to Garrett, and exploit it.
Deeper yet, Wilks will be able to anticipate if a given offense will try to run AT Garrett, or away from him; if they'll use 2 tight ends, a fullback...roll away from him or over him...
Every defensive coach wants a guy like this, because he can force an offense to do predictable things; ie "dictate" to them.
Get it? Garrett is here. That tackle can't handle him, so they need the Tight End to chip, and if he's not there, it's probably a run or a rollout to the right, so we---
Okbye
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)