Randy Gurzi tells me that Cornerbacks Donovan Olumba and AJ Green were among yesterday's roster cuts. While I saw the Chad Thomas release coming, these cuts were kinda stunning.
...as is the retention of 5 Tight Ends, 6 WRs, and 6 LBs.
Special Teams is part of this, of course, and it really looks like this regime is more concerned about retaining talent than filling depth-slots.
They'll no doubt try to stash Olumba and maybe Green on their practice squad.
Looking at the players who were retained, every position looks well-stocked with quality depth (except the OLine--Right Guard still feels shaky there).
But Gurzi lists 5 Free Agents that he thinks the Browns should swoop down and scoop up.
Safety D'Cota Dixon? This does not compute. You have to kick one player to the curb for each player you sign, and this guy is mainly a run-stopper (an extra-Strong Safety) and Special Teamer.
Of course, with 6 Linebackers, 5 Tight Ends, and 6 WRs, the roster has lots of wiggle room, so Randy might be right.
Skyscraper WR Hakeem Butler is really interesting! 6'5", 225 lb WRs don't grow on trees, and the current WR corps is stacked with Liliputions and microbes.
(...ok I exaggerated there, but had to get the line written). Peoples-Jones, Higgins, and Hodge all have decent size, but the top 2 are Liliputions and Natson is a microbe.
I hate Randy's casual dismissal of Butler's drops, but...ok sorry I can't get behind this one. This fills no need, and 3 of the 5 Tight Ends can do everything Butler can do.
A swing and a miss (the count is 1-1).
CB Sidney Jones is a former 2nd round draft pick who's had hammy issues (and underperformed).
Randy thinks the Browns should at least "kick the tires" on this still young (and heavily discounted) player, and I concur.
As you guys know, DePodesta and I love young and cheap former high draft picks entering their 2nd or 3rd seasons. It's a low risk, astronomical reward situation.
Jones' joints are fine, and hammies heal; his specific injuries have done him no lasting harm.
His disappointing performance when healthy comes with a huge asterisk, as he was still learning.
The floor on Jones is an almost-free release, and the cieling is outter space.
Iggles Nose Tackle Anthony Rush is also a great idea.
Eli Ankou is the only real Nose left on this roster, and Rush might be an upgrade over him (he's bigger, anyway).
Linebacker (sigh) Francis Bernard might be a Special Teams asset, and has nice upside. Given that the post-purge Linebackers left behind Takitaki, Phillips, Wilson, and Goodson are nothing to write home about, this guy might make sense.
Randy says he's looked really good in Dallas, and was expected to make their final cut.
I won't quibble with Randy about Bernard being a smart signing, but have to correct him on his dim view of the current Linebackers, and hallucinations there-from:
1: There isn't "hope" that Sione Takitaki will be adequate. His improvement from year 1 to year 2 was predictable. He's actually surprised those of us who think with their brains, as he's looked really good in coverage!
2: BJ Goodson was always a great run-stuffer, but now HE TOO has looked terrific (not just "ok" but terrific) in coverage himself.
3: Jacob Phillips is 6'3", tested off the charts, started for a National Championship team, and led his conference in tackles...and Randy didn't even mention him.
4: Mack Wilson should now be back early in the season.
5: The Joe Woods 2020 Browns probably won't field 3 linebackers more than 30% of the time.
I can't fathom why Randy (and the rest of the flock) keep yammering about a "lack of depth" at Linebacker.
Chad Porto shares some of my own surprise over the new roster, but (unlike my current self) thinks he knows better:
Chad thinks that the Browns should have retained QB Kevin Davidson (as the 3rd QB), and cut WR KhaDarel Hodge.
I get the carrying 3 QBs thing, and defer to Chad on how good Kevin Johnson will become, but KhaDarel Hodge is the Special Teams' gunner, this scheme turns into a "wildcat" at the drop of a real QB, and Johnson will probably make it to the Practice Squad.
Plus, does Chad think Johnson is better than Gilbert (one of the 2 should clear waivers)?
Chad thinks they should have kept FB Johnny Stanton and cut Chris Hubbard.
I respect that logic. Stanton is an excellent player, Hubbard is so-so, and frankly Lamm might be at least as good.
Keeping Guard Micheal Dunn and cutting/trading David Njoku...I dunno. Chad knows more about Dunn than I do, and as you know I would trade Njoku for real value.
...but Chad just hates David Njoku for some reason. He's not even rational on the subject. He would take a bag of popcorn and a lottery ticket to get rid of this guy.
I don't know about Dunn, but my default reaction to Chad is "what tf are you talking about!?!"
Should have cut Pharoah Brown and kept DT Equale:
While 5 Tight Ends is rediculous, Brown is better than Equale, and he's the best blocker.
Equale is the FOURTH "3-tech" on this roster, and he never had a chance vs Ankou in the first place.
Keep AJ Green, cut fellow CB Tavierre Thomas?
No comment. DePodesta and I tend to side with younger players, and they "paid up" for Green, but it's smart to admit your mistakes.
It wasn't DePodesta or Berry who kept Thomas and released Green. It was the coaches.
Chad Porto is really smart, but between him and the current brain crust, I'll go with DePoBerry over Chad (or myself) every time.
Okbye
Saturday, September 5, 2020
Thursday, September 3, 2020
Great Moves by DePoBerry, Browns Strategery, Comrade Stefanski's Sentient Side
Such a deal I got for you! Ronnie Harrison for a 5th round pick!?
PFF gives Ronnie a 60.-something overall grade, which is maybe high average, and he's been a solid starter for the Jags. He enters only the third year of his carreer, and he's only 23, so he has some upside left.
Ok look the Browns were not "desperate" for help at Free Safety for one thing, and you need to quit crapping on guys like Redwine (this just in: JT Hassel released).
Also, Ronnie has been starting at Strong Safety, and may or may not have the chops to play the deep middle in the NFL (like Delpit hint-hint).
At 6'3", 215 lbs Harrison can play over the slot (as Delpit was going to), and might be a Safetybacker (I can't find info on him for some reason. Did he say something good about Trump or cops or something?)
Well he was drafted in the 3rd round and had 2 picks and a bunch of deflections in 2019 so he definitely doesn't suck in coverage.
He has the length to cover Tight Ends, and that's really important in 2020, since "12" sets and passcatching Tight Ends are the latest copycat craze.
A 5th rounder for this solid and ascending player was a no-brainer for the Browns.
He's at least quality depth at SS and a situational nickelback, but for all I know, he could also compete with Sendejo and Redwine at Free Safety.
I repeat: He's 23 and enters his third season, so a big jump isn't unlikely.
Regardless, Ronnie Harrison should be on the field often.
I give DePoBerry an A-plus for this no-brainer.
I was listening to the guys on Fantasy Radio today, and one of them predicted that Nick Chubb would average 6.1 YPC and gain at least nearly 2,000 yards in 2020 (and yes, he knows all about Kareem Hunt).
I did the math, and we're really talking about around 130 yards per-game here. If the guy is talking about receiving as well as rushing, that's very achievable.
But rushing yards? Well, if he does average over 6 YPC then we're talking about 22 carries per game, which is also quite believable, even with Hunt getting 10 carries (and hogging most of the receptions).
What some of you instinctively doubt is that 6.1 yards per-carry number for a workhorse Running Back.
That's my kneejerk reaction as well, but check it out:
In 2019 the blocking scheme was partly power/man, and niether Jedrick Wills nor Jack Conklin were here (*Wills is having issues in true pass sets. His run-blocking is money in the bank, ok?*)
Almost ALL of Chubb's biggest plays came off wide zone blocking. You can't tackle him in space without your feet planted and both arms. He'll scrape some paint off you and not lose a step.
I agree with this guy!
Nick Chubb is really popular with nearly all these Fantasy experts. McCaffrey and Barkley are the top RBs, but Chubb is considered a "great value" anywhere under the middle of the first round! With Kareem Hunt on the same team!!!
By the way, the Baltimore Ravens ranked near the bottom vs the run in 2019 (I was shocked by that, since their overall Defense was like third in the NFL).
...ok I'll take 6:1 on the Browns vs Ravens in the 2020 opener, but that's my final offer.
Indeed, Nick Chubb ran 20 times for 164 yards when the Browns stomped the Ravens 40-25 in Sept. 2019 (Jarvis Landry caught 8 passes for 167 yards too).
I was accidentally brilliant in my last post, as I said the Browns Offense should buckle up and run at the Ravens defense.
Jarvis Landry's impressive contribution was partly the result of stacked boxes, single coverage, and getting behind the Free Safety. (Baker Mayfield got that game right!)
I'm getting all enthusiasticized here!
The Ravens drafted Malik Harrison and two athletic DTs in the offseason, but can't re-invent themselves. That scheme has served them well (including in 2019) and there's no genius magic bullet to stop Nick Chubb in 2020...
No...they did stop Chubb in the rematch, but they scored 2 TDs in the 2nd Quarter and led 14-6 at halftime.
I (vaguely) remember now: there was a lot ofDorsey Kitchens-bashing about the playcalling;
Nick Chubb had 15 total carries for 45 yards (Hunt 2 for 8), and the Browns kept passing on first down early on.
So yeah, the Ravens stifled Nick Chubb early in that game, but I remember a bunch of 3-wides (with Hunt which is ok) and forcing the ball to OBJ and treating 2nd and 7 like 3rd and 15 and lookie here:
When you miss a pass on 1st down you get 2nd and 10. And in that game, there were a bunch of series that went 3-and-out off 3 consecutive passes, and Nick Chubb was collecting splinters 2/3rds of the time.
Don't get me wrong here: The Ravens did a great job on Nick Chubb in that rematch. No doubt Freddie was trying to exploit those stacked boxes, but the Offensive Line was a turnstile and OBJ was naturally the default nevermind don't keep me started:
Too late: Anyway now it's 90% zone-blocking, Conklin and Wills are here, (see 2019 Vikings) 3rd and 7 isn't an automatic pass, you don't scrap your running game down by 8 points at halftime, and you don't force the ball to an injured guy deep when Landry is ohhmmmm....ohhmmmmm...
The 2020 Browns can run the ball vs the 2020 Ravens. They can do it vs stacked boxes.
Jeez part of this is strategery, see? Opposing defenses have to respect your willingness to run the ball in 2nd and 7 or 3rd and 4 situations, or they'll "kitchen sink" your QB (and backfield) but Stefanski gets this thank cod so it's ok now.
Check out the 49ers. Kyle Shanahan sometimes handed off 12 times in a row, including in 3rd and 6 situations. Same blocking scheme.
Garappolo isn't as good as Mayfield, and Kyle's Running Backs aren't like Chubb or Hunt, either, see? And Comrade Stefanski isn'tJohn Dorsey Freddie Kitchens either do you understand this?
No offense you guys. My insults are never aimed at mylegion of regular readers, who I assume are sentient.
If I say "You Idiot" as I write about Jadeveon Clowney or that Ravens Jefferson moron, you know I'm not aiming at you, right?
If YOU were in Clowney's shoes, I assume you would accept 17 mil to sign with the 2020 Stefanski-Coached, Berry-managed, Joe Woods coordinated Cleveland Browns, right?
I'm glad Clowney turned the Browns down now, because we don't need dumbasses on this defense (Clowney looks a little like Ebineezer Bell, and flushed at least 8 mil down the terlet here: Just stay tuned).
If Olivier Vernon, for the first time in his carreer, can play in 12 or so games, he's better than Clowney. Ditto Gustin Porter.
Clowney is an amazing specimen who can excel at LB as well as DE and can cover and stop the run (check), but he never came close to his billing as an EDGE guy.
Olivier Vernon, when healthy, is superior to Jadeveon Clowney all around, and especially as a passrusher. He might well end up getting paid more than Clowney in 2020 as well.
As an EDGE guy, Porter Gustin now looks better than Clowney too.
Today, the majority of NFL Free Agents (like Conklin) have 3-digit IQs and comprehend the differences between Comrade Stefanski and Freddie Kitchens, project Comrade Mayfield's obvious carreer trajectory, consider the Coordinators and assistants, team talent, schemes, "fits" etc., and in 2020, the Cleveland Browns are a decent landing spot for sentient Free Agents.
Along the lines of Ebineezer Bell, some writers have suggested that he wants to be "the man" (dedicated edge-rusher) wherever he goes.
That's impossible here with Myles Garrett, but jeez...after all this time in the NFL, hasn't he had all the chances in the world to EARN that (especially since he was drafted first overall to BE exactly that!?!)
Screw Clowney (and Jefferson--who was mediocre in 2019 anyway the egomania here is...WOW) but I regress:
I love Jack Conklin, because he could have gouged for more money or avoided "this horrible team" out of ignorance, but he just shrugged and signed.
Austin Hooper's offer was too good to turn down, but he actually lived with Comrade Mayfield briefly, and was with him as often as possible during the offseason.
Permabashers need to adapt (fat chance!)
MKC revelizationalizes that Comrade Stefanski said that the final practice will be a "dress rehearsal", and not yet another session to evaluate players.
See my last several posts: Stefanski hasn't been running the schemes he'll run for real in order to zero in on what they suck at and to test the players.
With the Ravens about a week away, why is it "news" to anybody that Comrade Stefanski is in "game-prep" mode now?
It appears to me that Comrade Stefanski has gone way out of his way to give all these players reps; legitimate opportunities to prove themselves.
Every other Browns coach I've seen waived a bunch of prospects that never got any reps!
Under previous coaches, Chad Thomas might be a "lock", while Gustin Porter might already have been cut.
Why the hell do you sign guys that you never intend to test?
But I repress: For a BORG, Comrade Stefanski is...
Well, if I didn't know any better, I'd say he was a real American!
PFF gives Ronnie a 60.-something overall grade, which is maybe high average, and he's been a solid starter for the Jags. He enters only the third year of his carreer, and he's only 23, so he has some upside left.
Ok look the Browns were not "desperate" for help at Free Safety for one thing, and you need to quit crapping on guys like Redwine (this just in: JT Hassel released).
Also, Ronnie has been starting at Strong Safety, and may or may not have the chops to play the deep middle in the NFL (like Delpit hint-hint).
At 6'3", 215 lbs Harrison can play over the slot (as Delpit was going to), and might be a Safetybacker (I can't find info on him for some reason. Did he say something good about Trump or cops or something?)
Well he was drafted in the 3rd round and had 2 picks and a bunch of deflections in 2019 so he definitely doesn't suck in coverage.
He has the length to cover Tight Ends, and that's really important in 2020, since "12" sets and passcatching Tight Ends are the latest copycat craze.
A 5th rounder for this solid and ascending player was a no-brainer for the Browns.
He's at least quality depth at SS and a situational nickelback, but for all I know, he could also compete with Sendejo and Redwine at Free Safety.
I repeat: He's 23 and enters his third season, so a big jump isn't unlikely.
Regardless, Ronnie Harrison should be on the field often.
I give DePoBerry an A-plus for this no-brainer.
I was listening to the guys on Fantasy Radio today, and one of them predicted that Nick Chubb would average 6.1 YPC and gain at least nearly 2,000 yards in 2020 (and yes, he knows all about Kareem Hunt).
I did the math, and we're really talking about around 130 yards per-game here. If the guy is talking about receiving as well as rushing, that's very achievable.
But rushing yards? Well, if he does average over 6 YPC then we're talking about 22 carries per game, which is also quite believable, even with Hunt getting 10 carries (and hogging most of the receptions).
What some of you instinctively doubt is that 6.1 yards per-carry number for a workhorse Running Back.
That's my kneejerk reaction as well, but check it out:
In 2019 the blocking scheme was partly power/man, and niether Jedrick Wills nor Jack Conklin were here (*Wills is having issues in true pass sets. His run-blocking is money in the bank, ok?*)
Almost ALL of Chubb's biggest plays came off wide zone blocking. You can't tackle him in space without your feet planted and both arms. He'll scrape some paint off you and not lose a step.
I agree with this guy!
Nick Chubb is really popular with nearly all these Fantasy experts. McCaffrey and Barkley are the top RBs, but Chubb is considered a "great value" anywhere under the middle of the first round! With Kareem Hunt on the same team!!!
By the way, the Baltimore Ravens ranked near the bottom vs the run in 2019 (I was shocked by that, since their overall Defense was like third in the NFL).
...ok I'll take 6:1 on the Browns vs Ravens in the 2020 opener, but that's my final offer.
Indeed, Nick Chubb ran 20 times for 164 yards when the Browns stomped the Ravens 40-25 in Sept. 2019 (Jarvis Landry caught 8 passes for 167 yards too).
I was accidentally brilliant in my last post, as I said the Browns Offense should buckle up and run at the Ravens defense.
Jarvis Landry's impressive contribution was partly the result of stacked boxes, single coverage, and getting behind the Free Safety. (Baker Mayfield got that game right!)
I'm getting all enthusiasticized here!
The Ravens drafted Malik Harrison and two athletic DTs in the offseason, but can't re-invent themselves. That scheme has served them well (including in 2019) and there's no genius magic bullet to stop Nick Chubb in 2020...
No...they did stop Chubb in the rematch, but they scored 2 TDs in the 2nd Quarter and led 14-6 at halftime.
I (vaguely) remember now: there was a lot of
Nick Chubb had 15 total carries for 45 yards (Hunt 2 for 8), and the Browns kept passing on first down early on.
So yeah, the Ravens stifled Nick Chubb early in that game, but I remember a bunch of 3-wides (with Hunt which is ok) and forcing the ball to OBJ and treating 2nd and 7 like 3rd and 15 and lookie here:
When you miss a pass on 1st down you get 2nd and 10. And in that game, there were a bunch of series that went 3-and-out off 3 consecutive passes, and Nick Chubb was collecting splinters 2/3rds of the time.
Don't get me wrong here: The Ravens did a great job on Nick Chubb in that rematch. No doubt Freddie was trying to exploit those stacked boxes, but the Offensive Line was a turnstile and OBJ was naturally the default nevermind don't keep me started:
Too late: Anyway now it's 90% zone-blocking, Conklin and Wills are here, (see 2019 Vikings) 3rd and 7 isn't an automatic pass, you don't scrap your running game down by 8 points at halftime, and you don't force the ball to an injured guy deep when Landry is ohhmmmm....ohhmmmmm...
The 2020 Browns can run the ball vs the 2020 Ravens. They can do it vs stacked boxes.
Jeez part of this is strategery, see? Opposing defenses have to respect your willingness to run the ball in 2nd and 7 or 3rd and 4 situations, or they'll "kitchen sink" your QB (and backfield) but Stefanski gets this thank cod so it's ok now.
Check out the 49ers. Kyle Shanahan sometimes handed off 12 times in a row, including in 3rd and 6 situations. Same blocking scheme.
Garappolo isn't as good as Mayfield, and Kyle's Running Backs aren't like Chubb or Hunt, either, see? And Comrade Stefanski isn't
No offense you guys. My insults are never aimed at my
If I say "You Idiot" as I write about Jadeveon Clowney or that Ravens Jefferson moron, you know I'm not aiming at you, right?
If YOU were in Clowney's shoes, I assume you would accept 17 mil to sign with the 2020 Stefanski-Coached, Berry-managed, Joe Woods coordinated Cleveland Browns, right?
I'm glad Clowney turned the Browns down now, because we don't need dumbasses on this defense (Clowney looks a little like Ebineezer Bell, and flushed at least 8 mil down the terlet here: Just stay tuned).
If Olivier Vernon, for the first time in his carreer, can play in 12 or so games, he's better than Clowney. Ditto Gustin Porter.
Clowney is an amazing specimen who can excel at LB as well as DE and can cover and stop the run (check), but he never came close to his billing as an EDGE guy.
Olivier Vernon, when healthy, is superior to Jadeveon Clowney all around, and especially as a passrusher. He might well end up getting paid more than Clowney in 2020 as well.
As an EDGE guy, Porter Gustin now looks better than Clowney too.
Today, the majority of NFL Free Agents (like Conklin) have 3-digit IQs and comprehend the differences between Comrade Stefanski and Freddie Kitchens, project Comrade Mayfield's obvious carreer trajectory, consider the Coordinators and assistants, team talent, schemes, "fits" etc., and in 2020, the Cleveland Browns are a decent landing spot for sentient Free Agents.
Along the lines of Ebineezer Bell, some writers have suggested that he wants to be "the man" (dedicated edge-rusher) wherever he goes.
That's impossible here with Myles Garrett, but jeez...after all this time in the NFL, hasn't he had all the chances in the world to EARN that (especially since he was drafted first overall to BE exactly that!?!)
Screw Clowney (and Jefferson--who was mediocre in 2019 anyway the egomania here is...WOW) but I regress:
I love Jack Conklin, because he could have gouged for more money or avoided "this horrible team" out of ignorance, but he just shrugged and signed.
Austin Hooper's offer was too good to turn down, but he actually lived with Comrade Mayfield briefly, and was with him as often as possible during the offseason.
Permabashers need to adapt (fat chance!)
MKC revelizationalizes that Comrade Stefanski said that the final practice will be a "dress rehearsal", and not yet another session to evaluate players.
See my last several posts: Stefanski hasn't been running the schemes he'll run for real in order to zero in on what they suck at and to test the players.
With the Ravens about a week away, why is it "news" to anybody that Comrade Stefanski is in "game-prep" mode now?
It appears to me that Comrade Stefanski has gone way out of his way to give all these players reps; legitimate opportunities to prove themselves.
Every other Browns coach I've seen waived a bunch of prospects that never got any reps!
Under previous coaches, Chad Thomas might be a "lock", while Gustin Porter might already have been cut.
Why the hell do you sign guys that you never intend to test?
But I repress: For a BORG, Comrade Stefanski is...
Well, if I didn't know any better, I'd say he was a real American!
Wednesday, September 2, 2020
New Browns Talent, Training Strategery, the Ravens, and Blabberage
Randy Gurzi lists 3 players whose stock rose during the offseason (with Rashard Higgins and KhaDarel Hodge getting honorable mention.
As you guys know, I like both these guys, but was surprised by Hodge in 2019. They're both big strong guys with reps as possession receivers, but both have been making big plays.
I've heard that Hodge is an especially good blocker, and we know that he's a key Special Teamer.
They both fit the timing system very well; they block and win contested catches. With Donovan Peoples-Jones still learning the ropes, WR is deep.
Hope they can get something for Ratley (he's a good player with tons of upside).
Randy says that BJ Goodson (the veteran "run-stuffer" has actually excelled in coverage (by the way so has Takitaki).
This is fantastic news, as it now looks like Goodson is going to be the starting Mike and Takitaki looks like he'll be on the field as often.
Rodney Phillipsfield has plenty of time to learn. Malcolm Smith is a depth "mentor" type guy, then there's Tae Davis and UFA Solomon Ajayi. One or 2 of these guys won't make it, and the Browns look solid at Linebacker.
Ourlads lists Takitaki as the starting Mike ahead of Goodon, Phillips as the starting Sam, and Tae Davis as the starting Wil....I don't get it.
I've already written about the apparent 4th Defensive End, Porter Gustin, who indeed blew Jedrick Wills' doors off for 2 sacks in the scrimmage.
With his history, you can't help worrying about his durability, but as Randy points out, he has always been awesome when healthy, and Defensive End is well and truly covered (good luck to Chad Thomas, who is a great guy).
Then there's Harrison Bryant. No need to go over that again. Just way "wow".
Nathan Zagura lists his standouts on both sides of the ball, starting with Tight Ends Austin Hooper and Bryant.
But Nate also names RD D'Earnest Johnson, who has done nothing but kick ass at both RB and as a returner since he got here in 2019.
He's similar to Dontrell Hilliard (including as a receiver), but IMO seems to just be a little better. I suspect he will make the team, while Hilliard won't.
With Kareem Hunt a likely loss after 2020, Johnson has a bright future here.
Nathan actually ranted a bit about Sione Takitaki, who busted his butt in the offseason and is night-and-day better in coverage in year 2.
Redundancy alert: Takitaki is a converted DE, so he can not only run around, but will take on Offensive Linemen (and of course rush the passer).
Like Goodson and Phillips, Takitaki should make a difference vs the run in 2020.
DT Jordan Elliott, per Zagura, has looked awesome filling in for Larry Ogunjobi.
Nathan mentions Elliott's "penetration skills" vs the run, offering a clue that Joe Woods has some Bud Carson in him, as I have posited myself (ie niether DT invites double-teams on neutral downs).
Elliott is 6'4", 302 lbs (not a Nose Tackle), but Nathan describes him jacking up the Right Guard and walking him back to sack Mayfield; he's freakishly strong, as well as quick.
You guys know I loved this guy when they drafted him 88th overall in the third round, and told you he'd be challenging Ogunjobi immediately.
And he is (blush-blush).
Finally Nathan names Cornerback Donovan Olumba, who I posted about earlier.
Back to the defensive scheme:
The main reasons for a big Nose Tackle are to tie up two Offensive Linemen (keep them off the Linebackers) and to force the ballcarrier to run around him and the two big uglies he's tied up with.
Eli Ankou (a true Nose Tackle) might well be the 4th DT now, but I'd expect him to play in short yardage situations (often in a 4-3).
On most neutral downs, the 3 "Nascar" DTs seek penetration, leaving the Linebackers on their own.
This explains why BJ Goodson was signed, and Phillips was drafted instead of one of those run-and-hit guys; Takitaki and they can deal with huge lumbering bulldozers in space (Phillips is skinny but has the length and feet to keep them off his body, ok? Sione uses leverage to jack them up and shed them, and I assume this is how Goodson operates too).
Inside penetration screws up the run as well as the pass. It's also the best way to screw up both inside and outside zone-blocking but I digress:
Naturally in any scheme offenses try to cope with inside penetration in various ways, and the Offensive Linemen just try to get a piece of the penetrator and go on to hit whoever they can hit (linebackers and smaller people, since if the Defensive Linemen don't make the stop, it could turn into a home run.
...ok-ok well the Defensive Ends are different...crap too deep nevermind anyway:
The Browns Defense has had the upper hand over the Offense more often than not because the front 4 are penetrating and screwing things up.
I've seen this in some of the tapes. Chubb takes the handoff and is instantly surrounded. And of course Mayfield and Keenum haven't had time to throw.
All is not lost, as Shanahan, Kubiak, and Stefanski were all very successful with this blocking scheme, and all those opposing defenses no doubt tried all this stuff on them too.
Wills is struggling, Teller is at Right Guard (not a good scheme fit), and Nick Harris is a rookie too.
But there's more to this:
This Defensive Line is really talented, ok? They'll screw up opposing offenses too, mark my words.
Myles Garrett has missed a lot of time, Ogunjobi has been out, and I doubt they're using Clayborn much.
Sheldon Richardson has been at DE as often as at DT (but then he's been taking Wills' lunch money himself...poor kid...)
And now here comes Jordan Elliott, channeling Aaron Donald!
Why are you laughing? He had the highest PFF passrush grades for any DT in the 2019 and 2020 draft classes. What's funny about comparing him to Donald?
And here comes Gustin Porter, channeling Garrett!!!
Poor Jedrick...
So no matter what, Comrade Mayfield, Chubb, or whoever has been splitting the backfield rent with the Defensive Line!
I do need to repeat some asterisks here:
1: I think the Offense has been focussing on the 3rd and long passing game, because that's the most complex part of this.
2: They might also be doing some man-blocking for the sake of the defense (as I've said, zone blocking is simple, and repetition doesn't help much.)
1a: The toughest part of Jedrick Wills' job is doing true pass-sets, Jack Conklin needs work on those himself, and Nick Harris's biggest weaknesses are man-blocking and pass-blocking for a pocket-passer.
I suspect that Comrade Stefanski is just maxing out the limited practice reps he has to work with here, and focusing on the most difficult stuff now, before it counts.
The Ravens loom. Forget JC Tretter. Nick Harris will be at Center. It's Wills or bust at Left Tackle.
The Browns might open up with Hunt/Chubb (Hooper at TE). The Ravens' D practices against 2 TE's a lot.
I don't think they'll get cute. They'll be physical, and run (with RPOs of course), but generally get in their faces and punish them.
I know that's a tall order, but it's their best chance.
The Ravens' Defense is built to stop the pass first, because their Offense is so lethal. They just added Jacob Phillips' LSU teammate, Patrick Queen (a Safetybacker).
They'll expect the 21 set, of course, and all it's ramifications, and I frankly know only that they won't use their dedicated nickel back...
I keep staring at this depth chart, trying to figure out...damn...
Anyway, I would go right to the RPO stuff, but keep Hunt in the backfield, and (unless Mayfield spots something) have him lead-block for Chubb, and punch them right in the face, see?
I can't predict how that would go, but I can tell you that they are paranoid about Hunt sneaking out the back door for a pass---or a pass--and 1 or 2 guys might be out of position, and Patrick Queen might be surprised to wake up in the second half and be told "That was Kareem Hunt" (tee-hee).
No I'm just sayin, the Offense has to be physical, because if you get "cute" with this top 4 Defense you're gonna die. They'll sack you and intercept you and beat the snot out of you. You have to punch them in the face.
Don't try to outsmart them. Just buckle up and try to overpower them. "You go or I go."
The zone scheme gives this Browns team a decent chance of doing that to this defense.
Defensively, there's a decent chance there too. This front 4 rotation can get into the Ravens' backfield and disrupt them without taking people out of coverage. They're custom-built to disrupt zone-blocking (as mentioned earlier).
The Ravens use 2 (or 3) Tight Ends a lot, so Joe Woods would use 3 Linbackers a lot too--however, recall what Gurzi and Zagura said about Takitaki and Goodson in coverage (and defeating blocks).
Lamar Jackson was still kinda shaky hitting receivers on the perimeter in 2019. While we can expect him to be better in 2020, the Browns are deep as hell at Cornerback, and can afford a center fielder.
Yeah ok he can still hurt you bad with his legs, but Joseph is here for a reason, and oknevermind just rambling anyway:
I bet the Browns will upset the Ravens. I just want 8:1 odds.
Okbye
As you guys know, I like both these guys, but was surprised by Hodge in 2019. They're both big strong guys with reps as possession receivers, but both have been making big plays.
I've heard that Hodge is an especially good blocker, and we know that he's a key Special Teamer.
They both fit the timing system very well; they block and win contested catches. With Donovan Peoples-Jones still learning the ropes, WR is deep.
Hope they can get something for Ratley (he's a good player with tons of upside).
Randy says that BJ Goodson (the veteran "run-stuffer" has actually excelled in coverage (by the way so has Takitaki).
This is fantastic news, as it now looks like Goodson is going to be the starting Mike and Takitaki looks like he'll be on the field as often.
Rodney Phillipsfield has plenty of time to learn. Malcolm Smith is a depth "mentor" type guy, then there's Tae Davis and UFA Solomon Ajayi. One or 2 of these guys won't make it, and the Browns look solid at Linebacker.
Ourlads lists Takitaki as the starting Mike ahead of Goodon, Phillips as the starting Sam, and Tae Davis as the starting Wil....I don't get it.
I've already written about the apparent 4th Defensive End, Porter Gustin, who indeed blew Jedrick Wills' doors off for 2 sacks in the scrimmage.
With his history, you can't help worrying about his durability, but as Randy points out, he has always been awesome when healthy, and Defensive End is well and truly covered (good luck to Chad Thomas, who is a great guy).
Then there's Harrison Bryant. No need to go over that again. Just way "wow".
Nathan Zagura lists his standouts on both sides of the ball, starting with Tight Ends Austin Hooper and Bryant.
But Nate also names RD D'Earnest Johnson, who has done nothing but kick ass at both RB and as a returner since he got here in 2019.
He's similar to Dontrell Hilliard (including as a receiver), but IMO seems to just be a little better. I suspect he will make the team, while Hilliard won't.
With Kareem Hunt a likely loss after 2020, Johnson has a bright future here.
Nathan actually ranted a bit about Sione Takitaki, who busted his butt in the offseason and is night-and-day better in coverage in year 2.
Redundancy alert: Takitaki is a converted DE, so he can not only run around, but will take on Offensive Linemen (and of course rush the passer).
Like Goodson and Phillips, Takitaki should make a difference vs the run in 2020.
DT Jordan Elliott, per Zagura, has looked awesome filling in for Larry Ogunjobi.
Nathan mentions Elliott's "penetration skills" vs the run, offering a clue that Joe Woods has some Bud Carson in him, as I have posited myself (ie niether DT invites double-teams on neutral downs).
Elliott is 6'4", 302 lbs (not a Nose Tackle), but Nathan describes him jacking up the Right Guard and walking him back to sack Mayfield; he's freakishly strong, as well as quick.
You guys know I loved this guy when they drafted him 88th overall in the third round, and told you he'd be challenging Ogunjobi immediately.
And he is (blush-blush).
Finally Nathan names Cornerback Donovan Olumba, who I posted about earlier.
Back to the defensive scheme:
The main reasons for a big Nose Tackle are to tie up two Offensive Linemen (keep them off the Linebackers) and to force the ballcarrier to run around him and the two big uglies he's tied up with.
Eli Ankou (a true Nose Tackle) might well be the 4th DT now, but I'd expect him to play in short yardage situations (often in a 4-3).
On most neutral downs, the 3 "Nascar" DTs seek penetration, leaving the Linebackers on their own.
This explains why BJ Goodson was signed, and Phillips was drafted instead of one of those run-and-hit guys; Takitaki and they can deal with huge lumbering bulldozers in space (Phillips is skinny but has the length and feet to keep them off his body, ok? Sione uses leverage to jack them up and shed them, and I assume this is how Goodson operates too).
Inside penetration screws up the run as well as the pass. It's also the best way to screw up both inside and outside zone-blocking but I digress:
Naturally in any scheme offenses try to cope with inside penetration in various ways, and the Offensive Linemen just try to get a piece of the penetrator and go on to hit whoever they can hit (linebackers and smaller people, since if the Defensive Linemen don't make the stop, it could turn into a home run.
...ok-ok well the Defensive Ends are different...crap too deep nevermind anyway:
The Browns Defense has had the upper hand over the Offense more often than not because the front 4 are penetrating and screwing things up.
I've seen this in some of the tapes. Chubb takes the handoff and is instantly surrounded. And of course Mayfield and Keenum haven't had time to throw.
All is not lost, as Shanahan, Kubiak, and Stefanski were all very successful with this blocking scheme, and all those opposing defenses no doubt tried all this stuff on them too.
Wills is struggling, Teller is at Right Guard (not a good scheme fit), and Nick Harris is a rookie too.
But there's more to this:
This Defensive Line is really talented, ok? They'll screw up opposing offenses too, mark my words.
Myles Garrett has missed a lot of time, Ogunjobi has been out, and I doubt they're using Clayborn much.
Sheldon Richardson has been at DE as often as at DT (but then he's been taking Wills' lunch money himself...poor kid...)
And now here comes Jordan Elliott, channeling Aaron Donald!
Why are you laughing? He had the highest PFF passrush grades for any DT in the 2019 and 2020 draft classes. What's funny about comparing him to Donald?
And here comes Gustin Porter, channeling Garrett!!!
Poor Jedrick...
So no matter what, Comrade Mayfield, Chubb, or whoever has been splitting the backfield rent with the Defensive Line!
I do need to repeat some asterisks here:
1: I think the Offense has been focussing on the 3rd and long passing game, because that's the most complex part of this.
2: They might also be doing some man-blocking for the sake of the defense (as I've said, zone blocking is simple, and repetition doesn't help much.)
1a: The toughest part of Jedrick Wills' job is doing true pass-sets, Jack Conklin needs work on those himself, and Nick Harris's biggest weaknesses are man-blocking and pass-blocking for a pocket-passer.
I suspect that Comrade Stefanski is just maxing out the limited practice reps he has to work with here, and focusing on the most difficult stuff now, before it counts.
The Ravens loom. Forget JC Tretter. Nick Harris will be at Center. It's Wills or bust at Left Tackle.
The Browns might open up with Hunt/Chubb (Hooper at TE). The Ravens' D practices against 2 TE's a lot.
I don't think they'll get cute. They'll be physical, and run (with RPOs of course), but generally get in their faces and punish them.
I know that's a tall order, but it's their best chance.
The Ravens' Defense is built to stop the pass first, because their Offense is so lethal. They just added Jacob Phillips' LSU teammate, Patrick Queen (a Safetybacker).
They'll expect the 21 set, of course, and all it's ramifications, and I frankly know only that they won't use their dedicated nickel back...
I keep staring at this depth chart, trying to figure out...damn...
Anyway, I would go right to the RPO stuff, but keep Hunt in the backfield, and (unless Mayfield spots something) have him lead-block for Chubb, and punch them right in the face, see?
I can't predict how that would go, but I can tell you that they are paranoid about Hunt sneaking out the back door for a pass---or a pass--and 1 or 2 guys might be out of position, and Patrick Queen might be surprised to wake up in the second half and be told "That was Kareem Hunt" (tee-hee).
No I'm just sayin, the Offense has to be physical, because if you get "cute" with this top 4 Defense you're gonna die. They'll sack you and intercept you and beat the snot out of you. You have to punch them in the face.
Don't try to outsmart them. Just buckle up and try to overpower them. "You go or I go."
The zone scheme gives this Browns team a decent chance of doing that to this defense.
Defensively, there's a decent chance there too. This front 4 rotation can get into the Ravens' backfield and disrupt them without taking people out of coverage. They're custom-built to disrupt zone-blocking (as mentioned earlier).
The Ravens use 2 (or 3) Tight Ends a lot, so Joe Woods would use 3 Linbackers a lot too--however, recall what Gurzi and Zagura said about Takitaki and Goodson in coverage (and defeating blocks).
Lamar Jackson was still kinda shaky hitting receivers on the perimeter in 2019. While we can expect him to be better in 2020, the Browns are deep as hell at Cornerback, and can afford a center fielder.
Yeah ok he can still hurt you bad with his legs, but Joseph is here for a reason, and oknevermind just rambling anyway:
I bet the Browns will upset the Ravens. I just want 8:1 odds.
Okbye
Donovan Olumba, Final Roster Projections, a Suicidal Rant, and Browns Stuff
Thanks to Barry Shuck, I now know who Donovan Olumba is, and that he's been taking first team reps at Denzel Ward's outside CB position.
Per Barry, he's not a press/man cornerback, but fits well in a Cover 3 or 2-deep (zone) Defense (those are generalizations since outside corners can man-up in these schemes, but I'm guessing Barry is treating off-man as zone).
There is definitely room for this unheralded third-year ex-Cowboy on this roster, especially since he looks like yet another good Special Teamer.
Don't be too surprised if Joe Woods carries 9 or 10 DBs on the final roster (and 5 or fewer Linebackers by the way).
Redundundancy alert all teams run some type of nickel about 2/3rds of the time in today's pass-happy NFL (Who told you Joe Woods was unique!?).
Woods appears determined to retain 4 down linemen, while other ("3-4") guys might go 3-3 or even 2-4 sometimes.
Woods, like Gregg Williams et al, try to find Safetybackers to fill out their nickels and be part of their dimes.
Really, these are mostly just extra-tough Strong Safeties who run-and-hit; they almost always line up in the box...they can't take on and shed blocks, but they're instinctive, and usually attack when not in coverage (long story, and I'm not sure any 2 Defensive Coordinators are talking about the same player).
Anyway that's why Woods will probably carry a 5th Safety (or "DB"); he'll often field 3 (or even 4) "safeties" in nickels and dimes, and yes: Donovan Olumba could be one of these.
As Barry says, he's a sure tackler with a terrific wing-span and ball-skills. He's been on the Cowboys Practice Squad for 2 seasons, and he's been practicing against top-notch receivers and honing his skills.
Coming from the lowest level of competition in college, year 3 could be this guy's "coming out" party, and his real weight is probably 21-212 lbs by now (even though he's "cut").
Joe will also carry at least 4 Cornerbacks, but I suspect 5 of those as well. Look at both Ward and Williams' injuries already, and toss in the lacerated liver and Kevin Johnson holeee...well 5, right?
And Olumba could be one of those, as well.
As Barry says, he's currently filling in for Denzel Ward (and looking pretty good, too).
The 2020 Browns have excellent depth at CB and SS.
I've read some really superficial, shallow anal yses speculating about how much the Browns will have to trade and pay for Grant Delpit's replacement, written by people who think Free and Strong Safety are the same thing.
Karl Joseph is a mediocre Free Safety but an excellent Strong Safety. Redwine can also play both, and could become better at free in year 2, but he's already shown a strong aptitute for Strong Safety (lots of upside for him DO YOU UNDERSTAND?)
Rodney Hasselfield is not only a much better athlete than these two, but also was a linebacker in college, so see "Safetybacker".
Sendejo is the Free Safety for now, and he's above average. But behind him?
Well, Olumba will be tried there (as well as at SS). I'm not predicting any results here, but just saying that he's been in the NFL long enough that experimenting with him won't hinder his development, and he has the physical tools to play every DB position.
Comrade Pete Smith weighs in with what he knows best in projecting the 53-man roster, and (as usual) I learned from him:
Pete sees 5 WRs retained (yep), not including any microbes or Damion Ratley, but he sees other teams (like the Jets) maybe trading for those not retained (no doubt a 5th rounder at best).
4 Tight Ends check, but Pete thinks Steve Carlson stays and Pharaoh Brown goes. (Brown is the best in-line blocker; Carlson is a coverted WR).
He thinks they might sign a veteran in-line "Y" type, but I don't get that. Y would they do that?
Sigh anyway Gustin makes it, while Chad Thomas doesn't (among 4 DEs)...
Pete thinks Eli Ankou will be the 4th DT. I don't know much about the guy, but he's 6'3", 331 lbs, and the rest are all 300 lb penetrators and that makes sense.
My earlier posts aside, it just seems reckless to not have at least one true zero-shade run-stuffer on your roster, even if you're channeling Bud Carson.
Pete thinks "project" OT Alex Taylor will make the final roster as the 4th OT retained. (He sees 3 Centers and 3 Guards too, but of course the Centers can play Guard too, and Pete is doing this for opening day, and JC Tretter probably aint gonna be there).
Pete lists 6 Linebackers, but one is Mack Wilson, who won't be there yet either.
He lists 7 corners, 2 free, and 2 strong safeties.
Olumba is one of the corners and another is a Special Teams ace. He says MJ Steward has the size to play the slot "like a Safety", and they'll want to keep AJ Green (won't survive waivers), but he's got Terrence Mitchell as the odd man out.
He has Redwine as the backup Free Safety, by the way. I trust Pete on that one.
...but Pete says he's great trade-bait for a team looking for a dirt-cheap insta-starter man cornerback, and is expecting DePoBerry to "cash out" on him.
So as usual (when he sticks to Football) I can't catch Comrade Smith screwing up. (Ok well I have, on rare occasions, but most of the time he's infuriatingly correct and brilliant all the time dammit).
Terrence Mitchell is only 28 and dirt cheap, and could be worth a 3rd round pick for any contending team in need of an elite (yes I said elite; axe PFF) plug-and-play man corner.)
Ok but if he's not traded, Pete, he's here, and one of your guys isn't, see?
Best I could do...dammit.
I can always count on the comments pages and Permabashers to find idiots:
If you have a brain, you might have thought that Sam Darnold or possibly even Josh Allen was a better pro prospect than Baker Mayfield coming out of college, and I respect that.
But if you stuck with that after his record-breaking 14-game rookie season, you are an idiot.
If you think he sucked in 2019 "because the defenses figured him out", or because he was making commercials, you are...is there something lower than...ah brain-dead(no offense intended):
Redundancy alert in theJohn Dorsey Kitchens offense Mayfield was horribly misused.
Instead of spreading the ball around like he had all his life, now he was forcing it to a 5'11" impaired OBJ deep, and was deprived of Higgins and Njoku.
Instead of running, play-action, and rolling, he was in the pocket all the time, in a predictable, pass-oriented offense.
(I still say Kitchens was screwed; Dorsey was telling him what to do. I don't know if Freddie could have been a good Head Coach, but I know for sure that John Dorsey wasn't one.)
Baker Mayfield through 2018 was possibly THE most accurate (non-dink-passing) Quarterback alive (always among the top guys in Yards-per-attempt). Lots of TDs. Few INTs. And a terrific scrambler, and salvager of broken plays
Through 2018, no defense could "figure him out" because he had no "go-to" guy they could take away, he could hit every part of the field from the pocket or on the run, and he literally had no exploitable weaknesses or tendancies (except being an asshole but that doesn't count here).
In 2019,Freddie Kitchens John Dorsey made him a deep-passing pocket-passer (to OBJ of course) who (I can't believe I read this) "predictably scrambles to his right"...
ALL correct-handed Quarterbacks tend to scramble to their right! You're calling THAT an exploitable weakness ohhmmm....ohhmmmmm....
And that goes for Jim Donovan too by the way. Jim, I love you man, but you need a tune-up ok? I mean, even if he wasn't right-handed, look at where the pressure came from---defenses figured GREG ROBINSON out ok!?! but I digress:
I remember Chris Palmer and Tim Couch.
The former helped destroy the latter. Tim Couch was an athletic ball-distributor, and Head Coach Chris Palmer, in the first year of an expansion team with all new players, made Tim Couch mostly an under-center, drop-back, pocket-passer.
I was an idiot back then, and thought Palmer was just "training" Couch for the NFL.
NO. Tim Couch had a pre-existing condition in his throwing elbow ("tennis elbow") which ultimately ended his carreer, but Chris Palmer hastened Tim's demise by not letting him take advantage of his athleticism, or the shotgun, or do anything that he'd done in college.
Well, Comrade Stefanski's offense actually resembles the offense Mayfield ran at Oklahoma.
The new regime consists of a GM and Chief Strategy Officer who stay in their lanes, and a Head Coach who selected his DC and assistants.
I've gone on and on about the zone-blocking scheme, RPOs, rollouts, etc., but for Baker Mayfield, here's the deal:
It's back yard football. He gets to look deep first every time, and hit whoever is open after that.
I'm overstating this, of course: He still has his precribed "reads", but...
Do you guys get that a QB coming out of the huddle, and watching how the defensive guys line up vs his guys sees more than what's on the chalk board?
Per Bernie ("I knew where the ball was going before the snap") Kosar, Baker Mayfield does that too.
...but what does he know, right?
It's ok, though. I remember some of the stuff I said in my younger years with profound shame. I was once almost half as ignorant and stupid as these Mayfield-bashers (except those who call him an asshole. THAT's irrefutable!)
LeBron James is a soulless asshole too, but also a great athlete. We need to be objective here:
The POW-lease in the US are mass-murdering black people but Red China is cool. The US sucks but none of you wants to leave.
Black Lives Matter is a great motto, but all your donations to it go to the DNC, and NONE to blighted neighborhoods or victims or ohmmmmmm...
BLM and Antifa are determined to destroy capitalism and are heavily funded by George Soros, who is Satan incarnate.
These athletes are "useful idiots".
Don't be a drone, pod person, or tool. If they steal this election from Trump, we're Venezuela...obviously.
All this over 19 incidents; riots over cops trying to revive a suicide, while cops are being murdered (no news on that, right? Lots more than the (more often than not justified) "unarmed" shootings of blacks you morons.)
Institutional racism is bullshit. Your whole "social justice" movement is bullshit.
The riots and looting are engineered and financed by BLM, Antifa, and Soros, all in Democrat cities and states, and you blame TRUMP?
Do what Comrade Stefanski pretended to do, and check out the "right wing extremist" sites (ie look outside your echo-chamber and think for yourself you fkng DRONE) but I digress:
Per Barry, he's not a press/man cornerback, but fits well in a Cover 3 or 2-deep (zone) Defense (those are generalizations since outside corners can man-up in these schemes, but I'm guessing Barry is treating off-man as zone).
There is definitely room for this unheralded third-year ex-Cowboy on this roster, especially since he looks like yet another good Special Teamer.
Don't be too surprised if Joe Woods carries 9 or 10 DBs on the final roster (and 5 or fewer Linebackers by the way).
Redundundancy alert all teams run some type of nickel about 2/3rds of the time in today's pass-happy NFL (Who told you Joe Woods was unique!?).
Woods appears determined to retain 4 down linemen, while other ("3-4") guys might go 3-3 or even 2-4 sometimes.
Woods, like Gregg Williams et al, try to find Safetybackers to fill out their nickels and be part of their dimes.
Really, these are mostly just extra-tough Strong Safeties who run-and-hit; they almost always line up in the box...they can't take on and shed blocks, but they're instinctive, and usually attack when not in coverage (long story, and I'm not sure any 2 Defensive Coordinators are talking about the same player).
Anyway that's why Woods will probably carry a 5th Safety (or "DB"); he'll often field 3 (or even 4) "safeties" in nickels and dimes, and yes: Donovan Olumba could be one of these.
As Barry says, he's a sure tackler with a terrific wing-span and ball-skills. He's been on the Cowboys Practice Squad for 2 seasons, and he's been practicing against top-notch receivers and honing his skills.
Coming from the lowest level of competition in college, year 3 could be this guy's "coming out" party, and his real weight is probably 21-212 lbs by now (even though he's "cut").
Joe will also carry at least 4 Cornerbacks, but I suspect 5 of those as well. Look at both Ward and Williams' injuries already, and toss in the lacerated liver and Kevin Johnson holeee...well 5, right?
And Olumba could be one of those, as well.
As Barry says, he's currently filling in for Denzel Ward (and looking pretty good, too).
The 2020 Browns have excellent depth at CB and SS.
I've read some really superficial, shallow anal yses speculating about how much the Browns will have to trade and pay for Grant Delpit's replacement, written by people who think Free and Strong Safety are the same thing.
Karl Joseph is a mediocre Free Safety but an excellent Strong Safety. Redwine can also play both, and could become better at free in year 2, but he's already shown a strong aptitute for Strong Safety (lots of upside for him DO YOU UNDERSTAND?)
Rodney Hasselfield is not only a much better athlete than these two, but also was a linebacker in college, so see "Safetybacker".
Sendejo is the Free Safety for now, and he's above average. But behind him?
Well, Olumba will be tried there (as well as at SS). I'm not predicting any results here, but just saying that he's been in the NFL long enough that experimenting with him won't hinder his development, and he has the physical tools to play every DB position.
Comrade Pete Smith weighs in with what he knows best in projecting the 53-man roster, and (as usual) I learned from him:
Pete sees 5 WRs retained (yep), not including any microbes or Damion Ratley, but he sees other teams (like the Jets) maybe trading for those not retained (no doubt a 5th rounder at best).
4 Tight Ends check, but Pete thinks Steve Carlson stays and Pharaoh Brown goes. (Brown is the best in-line blocker; Carlson is a coverted WR).
He thinks they might sign a veteran in-line "Y" type, but I don't get that. Y would they do that?
Sigh anyway Gustin makes it, while Chad Thomas doesn't (among 4 DEs)...
Pete thinks Eli Ankou will be the 4th DT. I don't know much about the guy, but he's 6'3", 331 lbs, and the rest are all 300 lb penetrators and that makes sense.
My earlier posts aside, it just seems reckless to not have at least one true zero-shade run-stuffer on your roster, even if you're channeling Bud Carson.
Pete thinks "project" OT Alex Taylor will make the final roster as the 4th OT retained. (He sees 3 Centers and 3 Guards too, but of course the Centers can play Guard too, and Pete is doing this for opening day, and JC Tretter probably aint gonna be there).
Pete lists 6 Linebackers, but one is Mack Wilson, who won't be there yet either.
He lists 7 corners, 2 free, and 2 strong safeties.
Olumba is one of the corners and another is a Special Teams ace. He says MJ Steward has the size to play the slot "like a Safety", and they'll want to keep AJ Green (won't survive waivers), but he's got Terrence Mitchell as the odd man out.
He has Redwine as the backup Free Safety, by the way. I trust Pete on that one.
...but Pete says he's great trade-bait for a team looking for a dirt-cheap insta-starter man cornerback, and is expecting DePoBerry to "cash out" on him.
So as usual (when he sticks to Football) I can't catch Comrade Smith screwing up. (Ok well I have, on rare occasions, but most of the time he's infuriatingly correct and brilliant all the time dammit).
Terrence Mitchell is only 28 and dirt cheap, and could be worth a 3rd round pick for any contending team in need of an elite (yes I said elite; axe PFF) plug-and-play man corner.)
Ok but if he's not traded, Pete, he's here, and one of your guys isn't, see?
Best I could do...dammit.
I can always count on the comments pages and Permabashers to find idiots:
If you have a brain, you might have thought that Sam Darnold or possibly even Josh Allen was a better pro prospect than Baker Mayfield coming out of college, and I respect that.
But if you stuck with that after his record-breaking 14-game rookie season, you are an idiot.
If you think he sucked in 2019 "because the defenses figured him out", or because he was making commercials, you are...is there something lower than...ah brain-dead
Redundancy alert in the
Instead of spreading the ball around like he had all his life, now he was forcing it to a 5'11" impaired OBJ deep, and was deprived of Higgins and Njoku.
Instead of running, play-action, and rolling, he was in the pocket all the time, in a predictable, pass-oriented offense.
(I still say Kitchens was screwed; Dorsey was telling him what to do. I don't know if Freddie could have been a good Head Coach, but I know for sure that John Dorsey wasn't one.)
Baker Mayfield through 2018 was possibly THE most accurate (non-dink-passing) Quarterback alive (always among the top guys in Yards-per-attempt). Lots of TDs. Few INTs. And a terrific scrambler, and salvager of broken plays
Through 2018, no defense could "figure him out" because he had no "go-to" guy they could take away, he could hit every part of the field from the pocket or on the run, and he literally had no exploitable weaknesses or tendancies (except being an asshole but that doesn't count here).
In 2019,
ALL correct-handed Quarterbacks tend to scramble to their right! You're calling THAT an exploitable weakness ohhmmm....ohhmmmmm....
And that goes for Jim Donovan too by the way. Jim, I love you man, but you need a tune-up ok? I mean, even if he wasn't right-handed, look at where the pressure came from---defenses figured GREG ROBINSON out ok!?! but I digress:
I remember Chris Palmer and Tim Couch.
The former helped destroy the latter. Tim Couch was an athletic ball-distributor, and Head Coach Chris Palmer, in the first year of an expansion team with all new players, made Tim Couch mostly an under-center, drop-back, pocket-passer.
I was an idiot back then, and thought Palmer was just "training" Couch for the NFL.
NO. Tim Couch had a pre-existing condition in his throwing elbow ("tennis elbow") which ultimately ended his carreer, but Chris Palmer hastened Tim's demise by not letting him take advantage of his athleticism, or the shotgun, or do anything that he'd done in college.
Well, Comrade Stefanski's offense actually resembles the offense Mayfield ran at Oklahoma.
The new regime consists of a GM and Chief Strategy Officer who stay in their lanes, and a Head Coach who selected his DC and assistants.
I've gone on and on about the zone-blocking scheme, RPOs, rollouts, etc., but for Baker Mayfield, here's the deal:
It's back yard football. He gets to look deep first every time, and hit whoever is open after that.
I'm overstating this, of course: He still has his precribed "reads", but...
Do you guys get that a QB coming out of the huddle, and watching how the defensive guys line up vs his guys sees more than what's on the chalk board?
Per Bernie ("I knew where the ball was going before the snap") Kosar, Baker Mayfield does that too.
...but what does he know, right?
It's ok, though. I remember some of the stuff I said in my younger years with profound shame. I was once almost half as ignorant and stupid as these Mayfield-bashers (except those who call him an asshole. THAT's irrefutable!)
LeBron James is a soulless asshole too, but also a great athlete. We need to be objective here:
The POW-lease in the US are mass-murdering black people but Red China is cool. The US sucks but none of you wants to leave.
Black Lives Matter is a great motto, but all your donations to it go to the DNC, and NONE to blighted neighborhoods or victims or ohmmmmmm...
BLM and Antifa are determined to destroy capitalism and are heavily funded by George Soros, who is Satan incarnate.
These athletes are "useful idiots".
Don't be a drone, pod person, or tool. If they steal this election from Trump, we're Venezuela...obviously.
All this over 19 incidents; riots over cops trying to revive a suicide, while cops are being murdered (no news on that, right? Lots more than the (more often than not justified) "unarmed" shootings of blacks you morons.)
Institutional racism is bullshit. Your whole "social justice" movement is bullshit.
The riots and looting are engineered and financed by BLM, Antifa, and Soros, all in Democrat cities and states, and you blame TRUMP?
Do what Comrade Stefanski pretended to do, and check out the "right wing extremist" sites (ie look outside your echo-chamber and think for yourself you fkng DRONE) but I digress:
Baker Mayfield will obviously kick ass in 2020 okbye
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