Get a grip. The Browns lost a squeaker to the New Oreleans Saints; a consensus Superbowl contender. Had Zane Gonzalez not screwed up, the 2018 Browns would be 2-0, having upset two Superbowl contenders.
Needless to say, Gonzales is probably a GMF.
You guys know I'm not a Dorsey sycophant, but no intelligent person can blame him for this. Gonzalez won the kicker-war, period. Nobody (including you) saw this coming.
Still, the Browns are now 0-1-1 instead of 2-0 vs two Superbowl contenders because of their kicker. They are one kicker away from Superbowl contention.
Happily, the Chiefs just beat the Steelers, and the Browns remain in "the mix".
These players now know they can match up with any team in the NFL.
There are lots of kickers out there. This can be fixed, easily.
And stop blaming Tyrod Taylor. If you think more deep passes are "the solution" here, or that Baker Mayfield could do better from flat on his back than Taylor, you are a simpleton.
The good news here is that Antonio Callaway is the real deal, and Tyrod trusts him. The better news is that Gregg Williams' defense stifled another juggernaut offense, and Larry Ogunjobi is turning into Warren Sapp.
This is a Superbowl defense. The offense is a work in progress.
I can't agree with Terry Pluto that the special teams in general are a disaster either. I didn't understand why they hired a special teams coordinator with such a crappy record, but the only problem I saw in this game was the kicker.
The kicker and the kicker only. The Browns just played the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans.
With an undrafted rookie left tackle, a new right tackle, a rookie x-receiver, a new quarterback, in a new offensive system.
Get a grip. Take a pill. They need a new kicker. That's all.
Sunday, September 16, 2018
Saturday, September 15, 2018
Genard Avery, Strategery, Gregg Williams, Todd Haley, and the Saints
Great, no Josh Gordon. Well that's okay-let's see what Callaway can do. Thanks to John Dorsey, the Browns have depth at "deep threat".
DeValve's absence won't hurt a lot, unless Njoku gets dinged.
Kirksey? Well, I really like the guy, and he's emerged as a leader, but...Avery is better anyway.
If you read this Blog, you know that Avery is destined to replace Kirksey.
For now, Gregg Williams has been using Avery in a James Harrison role (like I predicted less than 48 hours after they drafted him -blush-blush-).
But (again like Harrison), Avery is actually a real linebacker who can mirror and cover. Kirksey's time off will just make Gregg's job easier.
Burgess is also a good (ascending) player who can do what Kirksey does.
Genard Avery is massively underrated. How he lasted to the fourth round...well he's just 6' tall (like Harrison)...
Anyway he played every linebacker position in college. Some scouts called him a middle or inside linebacker. Others called him an outside edge-rushing linebacker.
He was good at everything. He is the new James Harrison (except faster). Why does nobody else see that?
Harrison himself went undrafted and got cut a whole bunch of times before he finally got his real opportunity.
Avery was more fortunate, as his combine tests were impressive, and he showed a lot in college, but he, like Harrison, is underrated.
James Harrison (who mellowed out later and stopped trying to knock out or paralyze his opponents--passing the dirtiest player in the NFL to Vontez Burfict) was known for his passrushing (and psychotic viciousness), but:
He also got interceptions and broke up passes in coverage (by blasting the receiver in zone, but hey it worked, right?) In other words, he was a REAL linebacker.
That's Avery. In Kirksey's absence, Avery should simply be on the field for every snap, in one role or another.
Kirksey was the WIL, and that's not Avery's best position, so I'm not sure how Gregg will handle this.
Avery has been the edge-rushing yang to Garrett's ying, and Gregg will probably want to keep bringing him from the strong side, especially with Ogbah also dinged.
Vs Drew Brees's Saints, he's got to blitze.
It's confusing, because Jamie Collins is the official SAM, but he's in coverage a lot...
You can't predict a Gregg Williams defense, really. That's why you need to read this Blog.
Kirksey and Ogbah are out, so Gregg will make the most of who he has vs this specific offense. Avery is one of his best players, so he'll be there. Garrett, Ogunjobi, Schobert...
I'm guessing a (nominal) 3-man front with Smith at left DE, and Odenigbo rotating in to relieve both DE's (with some Chad Thomas mixed in), and Devaroe joining Coley as nose tackle relief for Ogunjobi.
Devaroe is a real big monster space eating nose tackle, should Williams deem one neccessary in a given situation, but everybody else are penetrators.
This puts the defensive ends between the offensive guards and tackles (yes, including Garrett). But here we see why Gregg was so obsessed with defensive ends who could "move inside".
You need Field Marshall Schobert. You need swiss army knife Collins. And you needJames Harrison Genard Avery on the field.
As you know if you read this Blog, the real NFL "base" defense these days is a nickel, and in Gregg Williamsville, Jabrill Peppers or Cousins are "kinda" linebackers.
Obviously, I just described a 3-3 set. But you should see Peppers at WIL.
This makes too much sense vs the 2018 Saints. It (ideally) deprives Drew Brees of a pocket, and makes him scramble. Like all right-handed quarterbacks, he wants to scramble to is right, so he can throw comfortably. But Avery is humiliating his right tackle and blowing that up.
It makes a handoff to Kamara inside problematic, too. Kamara isn't a big or powerful guy (and knows it). It's hard to run-block vs quick-twitch athletes who are trying to get into your backfield.
It makes a dumpoff to Kamara, or a sweep mighty tempting, but Gregg the Little Dutch Boy only has so many fingers, and can pick his poison.
Certainly, the Saints can screw him (sometimes) no matter what he does, but that's why he gets his best players on the field as often as possible, however he has to do it:
Peppers can run Kamara down. Avery can deck him on his way to Brees. Brees can't outrun Garrett or Avery. Nobody can outrun Ward.
Randall will play more "angel" here, because this is Drew Brees (and Kamara and Thomas). He's coming foreward to keep the little gains from turning into big gains, and maybe knock the ball loose.
Williams wants to force Brees to throw before he wants to throw, eliminate inside runs as an option, and (via pressure) take Thomas off the table as a deep threat. He'll count on Randall (and his upgraded team-speed) to prevent Kamara from inflicting fatal damage.
Todd Haley will try to run the Saints defense over. After what Fitzpatrick did to them last sunday, they're expecting Haley to copy him.
But the Browns should be able to run the ball on anybody. Haley will probably open up with 3-wides to guarantee a nickel and a shallow box--then run it over.
Well that's just scene one, but now he's in charge, see? They bring the free safety up and shift to zone and NOW he passes--it's a chess game, see?
Hue Fisher will act like he's in charge, and hopefully not mess things up.
I'm sticking with my prediction: Browns 31, Saints/Regerees 34.
THIS JUST IN: Gordon is a GMF! I have no idea of what went on behind the scenes, so my ropes, torches, and pitchforks are still in the garage.
I can't kneejerk this, because jeez another hamstring issue? I want to call Dorsey an idiot due to all this Dez Bryant idiocy of his, but I just don't have enough info.
Well, it is what it is. The trade offers are coming.
Dammit.
...ok but if Dorsey signs Dez Bryant now he IS (at best) demented.
Mary Kay Cabbott sheds more light on this. She'd make a great intelligence analyist, as she pretty much reports the facts without bias.
She mentions the Bryant option, but also the fact that he would be extremely cheap.
If you think she's advocating, you are a mow-ron. She is delivering the facts, and speaks english. Deal with it.
But Dorsey should't sign Bryant at ANY price! (THAT is what we call an opinion).
DeValve's absence won't hurt a lot, unless Njoku gets dinged.
Kirksey? Well, I really like the guy, and he's emerged as a leader, but...Avery is better anyway.
If you read this Blog, you know that Avery is destined to replace Kirksey.
For now, Gregg Williams has been using Avery in a James Harrison role (like I predicted less than 48 hours after they drafted him -blush-blush-).
But (again like Harrison), Avery is actually a real linebacker who can mirror and cover. Kirksey's time off will just make Gregg's job easier.
Burgess is also a good (ascending) player who can do what Kirksey does.
Genard Avery is massively underrated. How he lasted to the fourth round...well he's just 6' tall (like Harrison)...
Anyway he played every linebacker position in college. Some scouts called him a middle or inside linebacker. Others called him an outside edge-rushing linebacker.
He was good at everything. He is the new James Harrison (except faster). Why does nobody else see that?
Harrison himself went undrafted and got cut a whole bunch of times before he finally got his real opportunity.
Avery was more fortunate, as his combine tests were impressive, and he showed a lot in college, but he, like Harrison, is underrated.
James Harrison (who mellowed out later and stopped trying to knock out or paralyze his opponents--passing the dirtiest player in the NFL to Vontez Burfict) was known for his passrushing (and psychotic viciousness), but:
He also got interceptions and broke up passes in coverage (by blasting the receiver in zone, but hey it worked, right?) In other words, he was a REAL linebacker.
That's Avery. In Kirksey's absence, Avery should simply be on the field for every snap, in one role or another.
Kirksey was the WIL, and that's not Avery's best position, so I'm not sure how Gregg will handle this.
Avery has been the edge-rushing yang to Garrett's ying, and Gregg will probably want to keep bringing him from the strong side, especially with Ogbah also dinged.
Vs Drew Brees's Saints, he's got to blitze.
It's confusing, because Jamie Collins is the official SAM, but he's in coverage a lot...
You can't predict a Gregg Williams defense, really. That's why you need to read this Blog.
Kirksey and Ogbah are out, so Gregg will make the most of who he has vs this specific offense. Avery is one of his best players, so he'll be there. Garrett, Ogunjobi, Schobert...
I'm guessing a (nominal) 3-man front with Smith at left DE, and Odenigbo rotating in to relieve both DE's (with some Chad Thomas mixed in), and Devaroe joining Coley as nose tackle relief for Ogunjobi.
Devaroe is a real big monster space eating nose tackle, should Williams deem one neccessary in a given situation, but everybody else are penetrators.
This puts the defensive ends between the offensive guards and tackles (yes, including Garrett). But here we see why Gregg was so obsessed with defensive ends who could "move inside".
You need Field Marshall Schobert. You need swiss army knife Collins. And you need
As you know if you read this Blog, the real NFL "base" defense these days is a nickel, and in Gregg Williamsville, Jabrill Peppers or Cousins are "kinda" linebackers.
Obviously, I just described a 3-3 set. But you should see Peppers at WIL.
This makes too much sense vs the 2018 Saints. It (ideally) deprives Drew Brees of a pocket, and makes him scramble. Like all right-handed quarterbacks, he wants to scramble to is right, so he can throw comfortably. But Avery is humiliating his right tackle and blowing that up.
It makes a handoff to Kamara inside problematic, too. Kamara isn't a big or powerful guy (and knows it). It's hard to run-block vs quick-twitch athletes who are trying to get into your backfield.
It makes a dumpoff to Kamara, or a sweep mighty tempting, but Gregg the Little Dutch Boy only has so many fingers, and can pick his poison.
Certainly, the Saints can screw him (sometimes) no matter what he does, but that's why he gets his best players on the field as often as possible, however he has to do it:
Peppers can run Kamara down. Avery can deck him on his way to Brees. Brees can't outrun Garrett or Avery. Nobody can outrun Ward.
Randall will play more "angel" here, because this is Drew Brees (and Kamara and Thomas). He's coming foreward to keep the little gains from turning into big gains, and maybe knock the ball loose.
Williams wants to force Brees to throw before he wants to throw, eliminate inside runs as an option, and (via pressure) take Thomas off the table as a deep threat. He'll count on Randall (and his upgraded team-speed) to prevent Kamara from inflicting fatal damage.
Todd Haley will try to run the Saints defense over. After what Fitzpatrick did to them last sunday, they're expecting Haley to copy him.
But the Browns should be able to run the ball on anybody. Haley will probably open up with 3-wides to guarantee a nickel and a shallow box--then run it over.
Well that's just scene one, but now he's in charge, see? They bring the free safety up and shift to zone and NOW he passes--it's a chess game, see?
Hue Fisher will act like he's in charge, and hopefully not mess things up.
I'm sticking with my prediction: Browns 31, Saints/Regerees 34.
THIS JUST IN: Gordon is a GMF! I have no idea of what went on behind the scenes, so my ropes, torches, and pitchforks are still in the garage.
I can't kneejerk this, because jeez another hamstring issue? I want to call Dorsey an idiot due to all this Dez Bryant idiocy of his, but I just don't have enough info.
Well, it is what it is. The trade offers are coming.
Dammit.
...ok but if Dorsey signs Dez Bryant now he IS (at best) demented.
Mary Kay Cabbott sheds more light on this. She'd make a great intelligence analyist, as she pretty much reports the facts without bias.
She mentions the Bryant option, but also the fact that he would be extremely cheap.
If you think she's advocating, you are a mow-ron. She is delivering the facts, and speaks english. Deal with it.
But Dorsey should't sign Bryant at ANY price! (THAT is what we call an opinion).
Friday, September 14, 2018
Saints are Scary, but the Browns Belong in this Ring. Puncher's Chance.
I'm scared of the Saints. There are a bunch of valid reasons that the Cleveland Browns have a legitimate chance to beat this offensive juggernaut at home in the dome, but I'm still scared, and can't predict a win.
I'm not as scared of Micheal Thomas as everybody else is, because Denzel Ward should be on him most of the time, Randall is the "angel", and Brees shouldn't have much time to throw. Thomas will do serious damage despite this, as both Brown and Smith-Schuster did last week, but not 160 yards worth; this is a better defense than the Saints played last week.
I am terrified by Alvin Kamara. That guy is just exceptional, and through 2017, the Browns' defense had big problems with quick, pass-catching running backs, and Kamara was an instastud as a rookie--he'll be even better now.
Kryptonite. Not good.
Everybody expects the Browns offense to "roll" this Saints defense like Fitz and the Bucs did last week.
This is kneejerk analysis, especially after the first game of a season:
The Saints defense is actually pretty talented, and these players were brought in with a fast-track/dome bias in mind (since they'll play around ten regular season games on astroturf).
The Browns are built to play on grass. The offense will not only need to go on a "silent" snap-count, but the only way for Tyrod to change plays pre-snap will be with hand-signals.
It's tougher than it sounds, and takes more time. Miscommunication happens a lot. Blown routes. False starts. Delay of game penalties or forced time outs. Bad timing for a new offense. Ick.
However: Gregg Williams/Todd Haley/John Dorsey just so happen to have a bunch of "turf"-freindly players themselves.
These include Harrison, Garrett, Avery, Gordon, Landry, Tretter, Njoku/DeValve, Collins, Ward, Duke Johnson, Tyrod, Callaway, Peppers, Fells (as a blocker), and several others.
Josh Gordon and Duke Johnson might "go off" here. Avery and Garrett too...and of course Tyrod will run when he can't pass (his one edge over Brees here, not to mention Fitzpatrick.)
Kneejerk analysis aside, the Browns offense should do better vs this defense than they did vs the Steelers' defense...err wait...
They scored 21 points on a better defense than the Saints have. Gordon and Taylor will have better chemistry. Duke can thrive on turf. Taylor (as a runner) too. They can realistically be expected to rack up at least 30 points on this Saints defense, despite the offense's "newness", and the noise. (*I'm assuming that the Saints D will be a little better than it was in game one...duh).
Kneejerk analyisis assumes that the Saints will score 40-plus points, but that's just dumb:
The hell with Ebineezer Bell: Conner racked up 192 yards, so last week the Browns literally held one of the most prolific offenses in the NFL to 21 points; this defense is for real.
As scary as Alvin Kamara is, I can't accept that he'll do better than Conner did.
I repeat: This defense is for real, and is better than Tampa Bay's defense. I can't believe that even the Saints can hang more than 34 points on it.
So we got us a real fight here!
Other pundits keep bringing up the Browns' history vs the Saints. That's utterly meaningless in 2018. If you bet on football and lean on that stuff, keep your bets small.
BOLD PREDICTIONS:
1: Harrison will not give up more than 1 sack or 6 pressures.
2: Hubbard will not give up more than 2 sacks or 10 pressures. I hope.
3: Tyrod Taylor will run for over 60 yards and one touchdown.
4: Tyrod will complete over 57% of his passes, and average over 9 yards per-attempt.
5: Tyrod will not be sacked more than four times.
6: Josh Gordon will go over 100 yards and score at least one TD.
7: Landry--ditto.
8: Duke Johnson will generate over 120 all-purpose yards and at least one TD.
9: Njoku will score.
10: Garrett will get at least one sack (and lots of pressures, and at least one tackle-for-loss.)
11: Avery will get at least two tackles-for-loss, six pressures, and 6 tackles.
12: Collins will make over 7 tackles, and break up at least two passes.
13: (combo here): Micheal Thomas won't go over 120 yards, and Kamara won't go over 150.
14: The Browns will get at least one interception (*probably off a deflection)
15: Duke Johnson will end up with more snaps than Carlos Hyde, and out-produce him.
16: Win or lose, the Browns will cover that point-spread, and it looks like this game will go over the total points too. Figure 31-34 (one way or the other).
I feel better now. I have convinced myself that the Browns have a better than 33% chance of upsetting the Saints in New Orleans.
It will probably come down to the zebras, and well...there you go.
Browns 31, Saints/zebras 34.
I'm not as scared of Micheal Thomas as everybody else is, because Denzel Ward should be on him most of the time, Randall is the "angel", and Brees shouldn't have much time to throw. Thomas will do serious damage despite this, as both Brown and Smith-Schuster did last week, but not 160 yards worth; this is a better defense than the Saints played last week.
I am terrified by Alvin Kamara. That guy is just exceptional, and through 2017, the Browns' defense had big problems with quick, pass-catching running backs, and Kamara was an instastud as a rookie--he'll be even better now.
Kryptonite. Not good.
Everybody expects the Browns offense to "roll" this Saints defense like Fitz and the Bucs did last week.
This is kneejerk analysis, especially after the first game of a season:
The Saints defense is actually pretty talented, and these players were brought in with a fast-track/dome bias in mind (since they'll play around ten regular season games on astroturf).
The Browns are built to play on grass. The offense will not only need to go on a "silent" snap-count, but the only way for Tyrod to change plays pre-snap will be with hand-signals.
It's tougher than it sounds, and takes more time. Miscommunication happens a lot. Blown routes. False starts. Delay of game penalties or forced time outs. Bad timing for a new offense. Ick.
However: Gregg Williams/Todd Haley/John Dorsey just so happen to have a bunch of "turf"-freindly players themselves.
These include Harrison, Garrett, Avery, Gordon, Landry, Tretter, Njoku/DeValve, Collins, Ward, Duke Johnson, Tyrod, Callaway, Peppers, Fells (as a blocker), and several others.
Josh Gordon and Duke Johnson might "go off" here. Avery and Garrett too...and of course Tyrod will run when he can't pass (his one edge over Brees here, not to mention Fitzpatrick.)
Kneejerk analysis aside, the Browns offense should do better vs this defense than they did vs the Steelers' defense...err wait...
They scored 21 points on a better defense than the Saints have. Gordon and Taylor will have better chemistry. Duke can thrive on turf. Taylor (as a runner) too. They can realistically be expected to rack up at least 30 points on this Saints defense, despite the offense's "newness", and the noise. (*I'm assuming that the Saints D will be a little better than it was in game one...duh).
Kneejerk analyisis assumes that the Saints will score 40-plus points, but that's just dumb:
The hell with Ebineezer Bell: Conner racked up 192 yards, so last week the Browns literally held one of the most prolific offenses in the NFL to 21 points; this defense is for real.
As scary as Alvin Kamara is, I can't accept that he'll do better than Conner did.
I repeat: This defense is for real, and is better than Tampa Bay's defense. I can't believe that even the Saints can hang more than 34 points on it.
So we got us a real fight here!
Other pundits keep bringing up the Browns' history vs the Saints. That's utterly meaningless in 2018. If you bet on football and lean on that stuff, keep your bets small.
BOLD PREDICTIONS:
1: Harrison will not give up more than 1 sack or 6 pressures.
2: Hubbard will not give up more than 2 sacks or 10 pressures. I hope.
3: Tyrod Taylor will run for over 60 yards and one touchdown.
4: Tyrod will complete over 57% of his passes, and average over 9 yards per-attempt.
5: Tyrod will not be sacked more than four times.
6: Josh Gordon will go over 100 yards and score at least one TD.
7: Landry--ditto.
8: Duke Johnson will generate over 120 all-purpose yards and at least one TD.
9: Njoku will score.
10: Garrett will get at least one sack (and lots of pressures, and at least one tackle-for-loss.)
11: Avery will get at least two tackles-for-loss, six pressures, and 6 tackles.
12: Collins will make over 7 tackles, and break up at least two passes.
13: (combo here): Micheal Thomas won't go over 120 yards, and Kamara won't go over 150.
14: The Browns will get at least one interception (*probably off a deflection)
15: Duke Johnson will end up with more snaps than Carlos Hyde, and out-produce him.
16: Win or lose, the Browns will cover that point-spread, and it looks like this game will go over the total points too. Figure 31-34 (one way or the other).
I feel better now. I have convinced myself that the Browns have a better than 33% chance of upsetting the Saints in New Orleans.
It will probably come down to the zebras, and well...there you go.
Browns 31, Saints/zebras 34.
Thursday, September 13, 2018
Hue Jackson the Human Monkey Wrench Can't Shut Up and Survive.
1: Hue, Hue, Hue: Todd Haley is running the offense now. Why do you have to keep marking your territory? It's as if you think Jimmy Haslam still has your back or something!
Why did you declare Josh Gordon a non-starter? "Nobody will be given a starting job here"?
Josh has had over a week to prepare, came in in great shape, and is a proven veteran stud--why do you think you have to "send messages" even when they don't make any sense?
If you implicitly (or explicitly) "order" Todd Haley to do something he thinks is stupid, he's not going to do it!
And quit saying things like "we've discussed" that, because everybody who watched Hard Knocks knows your definition of a "discussion" is you "discussing" and everybody else listening.
If you would LISTEN, Todd Haley no doubt would have offered you good reasons why (right now) Josh Gordan is a better option than the ROOKIE Antonio Callaway (one of which was that he wanted to beat the team that fired him last season).
As it is, he didn't bother trying, because before he could complete his first sentence he'd get the "I get to drive the bus" lecture.
That's what you get for being a dictator! Haley made SURE to put Gordan on the field on the first offensive play! You like messages? Haley can send messages too!
Go ahead! Look to Dorsey or Haslam to back you up! Good luck with that!
What Drew Brees said about Baker Mayfield wasn't hyperbole or politics. Pay attention to him, Hue:
Drew Brees revealed here that he thinks with his brain. He is emotionally mature and secure, so he readily and publicly acknowleges his own limitations, right down to Mayfield having a stronger arm, and better mobility than he himself does.
Hue: This has a lot to do with why this guy is a future Hall of Famer! He's honest with himself, as well as with the world.
Drew Brees knew exactly what was wrong with him early on, and because he did, he found ways to overcome those deficiencies.
He himself was inspired by a guy he backed up: Doug Flutie. Flutie was two inches shorter than Brees himself!!!
Anyway Hue, RIGHT NOW you need to step outside of yourself and put yourself in Haley's shoes, for example, and see what you gotta look and sound like to him.
Start there, and work outward. Because if you keep strutting around like the Emperor, you're gonna get what Julius Ceasar got "Et tu, Jimmae?"
Back to Brees saying he thinks Baker Mayfield can be better than he is (already being dismissed as "hyperbole" by one clown on NFL Radio).
The problem here is that Brees speaks english. Luckily, you have me here to translate what he said:
Lost to most of you in this sentence are two often misinterpreted words: "can", and "be".
For some reason, a lot of you misconstrue "can be" with "is".
"Can" implies potential, capacity, or ability. "Is" (which I remind you Drew never said) means "is" (unless you're Bill Clinton).
Now then, what Brees said was that Baker Mayfield can be better than he is, because he's a little more athletic and has a stronger arm...eventually...maybe.
Drew remembers being roughly where Mayfield is now (with the crystal clarity of emotionally-detatched objectivity), and is comparing his younger self to Mayfield.
His comments are both sincere and accurate (but what does he know?)
I'm watching the Ravens vs Steelers on Thursday Night Football and feeling discouraged. The Bengals look awesome on both sides of the ball.
The guys on NFL Radio are already thinking that three teams from the AFC North (everybody except the Browns) might make the 2018 playoffs.
I get it. The Browns are still in transition (and Hue Jackson is still nominally in charge--and causing internal conflict). Despite all the veterans Dorsey brought in, they're also the youngest team in the Division, with a new quarterback and offensive scheme.
Then there's the fact that the offensive line which tied the Steelers featured an undrafted starting left tackle, an overall offensive line which had never existed before...
Oh I'm getting into the GOOD news stuff here!
1: Desmond Harrison is conceivably the most phyically gifted left tackle in the NFL. He's also absolutely the least experienced (including with his line-mates).
His first half vs the Steelers was really bad. His second half was better. I wish I could break the third and fourth quarter stats apart, but I can tell you that he's learning fast.
He won't catch a break vs the Saints this sunday, but he should already be at least mediocre (yay!), and his arrow is vertical, okay? You'll have to TRUST ME on this one: If Harrison doesn't fail a piss test or get injured, he'll be an elite NFL left tackle by mid-season.
2: If you think Josh Gordon can't do for Tyrod what he did for Hoyer, Campbell, and whatshisname, you're delusional.
Upon further review, Joe Haden blatently interfered with him in the end zone, and he should have had two interceptions.
Josh laughed about it, because he and Joe are freinds, but the Browns got hosed by that non-call.
It was slick, too: Joe actually used Josh's shoulderpad to simultaneously elevate himself and prevent Josh from leaping himself (note Joe was chasing him and hadn't looked back--he read Josh's eyes to read the ball on the way).
Still--the interference was blatent, and should have been flagged.
Tyrod only targeted him 3 times. Big deal. He'll be the first read vs the Saints most of the time, and thereafter.
3: Njoku has some kinda mental malfunction with his concentration, but I'm confident that he will overcome it. He already proved himself in 2017.
Famous last words: I said the same thing about Edwards Scissorhands--but I think Njoku is different. I hope.
4: Genard Avery (maybe the steal of this draft): He's a shorter (but faster) Myles Garrett (*just as strong). PFF ranked Avery higher than Garrett for the Steelers' game at "edge".
Avery is strictly a linebacker (only 6' tall), so Ogbah is a whole different animal). Avery is faster (and more "manueverable") than Garrett/Ogbah, but can't (or shouldn't) ever put his hand in the dirt.
But vs the Steelers, he was the "yang" to Garrett's "ying" edge-rush wise.
PFF was less than complimentary of Christian Kirksey vs the Steelers, and Avery IS a true linebacker...well it's too early to tell you I told you so (not that I ever would)...
But I can remind you that when the Browns drafted Avery, I said he was not a threat to Schobert, but was a threat to Kirksey.
Avery is NOT just an "edge" guy: He's a true linebacker who can mirror and cover and do all that linebacker stuff. He's bigger, quicker, and faster than Kirksey, with comparable instincts, so......
5: Jamie Collins is BACK. He wasn't as noticeable, because he was in coverage a lot. How many passes did the Steelers' tight ends catch? But 6(?) tackles is cool too.
6: I need to remind you that Larry Ogunjobi is just entering his second NFL season. He's only just begun blowing up plays in opposing backfields!
7: Demarius Randall is matching his projections at free safety (as you know, I wasn't sure he would).
You guys are mostly oblivious to this, but Randall has functioned as intended in the "angel" slot, and also outperformed Briean Boddy-Calhoun in over the slot.
Vs the run, as well as the pass.
8: The "holding the ball" bashing on Tyrod is 50% valid, but the "taking off to run prematurely" is almost total bullshit.
Some of those runs were by design, and on most of the others, you guys need to look up "premature" in your dictionaries.
Try to grasp this abstract concept: If you are an extremely athletic quarterback, RUNNING with the ball beats the hell out of EATING it.
When you are 6' tall, and inside the tackle box, you have to put the ball somewhere near an eligable receiver to "throw it away" without getting flagged for intentional grounding.
If you can't SEE the field because you are short, you can't do that safely, so you get tf out of the pocket (you know--to avoid a certain sack?)...you get outside the tackle box so you can see the field, and, find a receiver, run, or LEGALLY throw it away DUH.
Todd Haley is obviously making the most of Tyrod Taylor's unique skill-set. Tyrod is a proven "pocket passer" now, but he's also habitually conservative, and tends to hesitate and hold the ball too long.
Rather than try to "fix" that, Haley gives Tyrod the green light to run (while encouraging him to "throw it deep" to Gordon...to GORDON only...even when he looks (single)-"covered".
Ruthlessly-speaking, Todd Haley isn't sweating a Taylor injury, because he knows Mayfield is ready.
But I digress:
The Bengals beat the Ravens in Cinci, but both teams make me nervous.
I posted earlier that the perennially-overrated Ravens were dead meat, and that the Marvin Lewis-coached Bengals had lost too much talent.
I was wrong.
I STILL regard the 2018 Browns as the most talented team in the AFC North, but (dammit) both the Bengals and Ravens (not to mention the Steelers) look like top contenders for the AFC title, and I have to back off here:
Dorsey did a great job of making the 2018 Browns instant competitors, but probably us fans will have to "wait til next year" one more time.
My revised estimate is that the Bengals will overtake the and win the division, and...
Ok there is some hope here: The Browns just tied the Steelers, and will duke it out with everybody else. I insist that they have the most talent, and compable or superior coaching (forget Hue Jackson here).
I still expect the Browns to beat the Steelers in Heinz Stadium, but can't project more than a split vs the Bengals or Ravens.
The Bengals look like the best team in the Division (if not the AFC) right now.
The Browns look a lot better than we're used to seeing, but they're young and transitional...
Dorsey did his best to take over the AFC North in 2018, but he probably fell short.
All the same, 8-7-1 is almost predictable, and at least a wild card slot isn't off the table.
If the Browns don't make the playoffs in 2018, should they fire Hue Jackson?
YES. (Scroll back).
Why did you declare Josh Gordon a non-starter? "Nobody will be given a starting job here"?
Josh has had over a week to prepare, came in in great shape, and is a proven veteran stud--why do you think you have to "send messages" even when they don't make any sense?
If you implicitly (or explicitly) "order" Todd Haley to do something he thinks is stupid, he's not going to do it!
And quit saying things like "we've discussed" that, because everybody who watched Hard Knocks knows your definition of a "discussion" is you "discussing" and everybody else listening.
If you would LISTEN, Todd Haley no doubt would have offered you good reasons why (right now) Josh Gordan is a better option than the ROOKIE Antonio Callaway (one of which was that he wanted to beat the team that fired him last season).
As it is, he didn't bother trying, because before he could complete his first sentence he'd get the "I get to drive the bus" lecture.
That's what you get for being a dictator! Haley made SURE to put Gordan on the field on the first offensive play! You like messages? Haley can send messages too!
Go ahead! Look to Dorsey or Haslam to back you up! Good luck with that!
What Drew Brees said about Baker Mayfield wasn't hyperbole or politics. Pay attention to him, Hue:
Drew Brees revealed here that he thinks with his brain. He is emotionally mature and secure, so he readily and publicly acknowleges his own limitations, right down to Mayfield having a stronger arm, and better mobility than he himself does.
Hue: This has a lot to do with why this guy is a future Hall of Famer! He's honest with himself, as well as with the world.
Drew Brees knew exactly what was wrong with him early on, and because he did, he found ways to overcome those deficiencies.
He himself was inspired by a guy he backed up: Doug Flutie. Flutie was two inches shorter than Brees himself!!!
Anyway Hue, RIGHT NOW you need to step outside of yourself and put yourself in Haley's shoes, for example, and see what you gotta look and sound like to him.
Start there, and work outward. Because if you keep strutting around like the Emperor, you're gonna get what Julius Ceasar got "Et tu, Jimmae?"
Back to Brees saying he thinks Baker Mayfield can be better than he is (already being dismissed as "hyperbole" by one clown on NFL Radio).
The problem here is that Brees speaks english. Luckily, you have me here to translate what he said:
Lost to most of you in this sentence are two often misinterpreted words: "can", and "be".
For some reason, a lot of you misconstrue "can be" with "is".
"Can" implies potential, capacity, or ability. "Is" (which I remind you Drew never said) means "is" (unless you're Bill Clinton).
Now then, what Brees said was that Baker Mayfield can be better than he is, because he's a little more athletic and has a stronger arm...eventually...maybe.
Drew remembers being roughly where Mayfield is now (with the crystal clarity of emotionally-detatched objectivity), and is comparing his younger self to Mayfield.
His comments are both sincere and accurate (but what does he know?)
I'm watching the Ravens vs Steelers on Thursday Night Football and feeling discouraged. The Bengals look awesome on both sides of the ball.
The guys on NFL Radio are already thinking that three teams from the AFC North (everybody except the Browns) might make the 2018 playoffs.
I get it. The Browns are still in transition (and Hue Jackson is still nominally in charge--and causing internal conflict). Despite all the veterans Dorsey brought in, they're also the youngest team in the Division, with a new quarterback and offensive scheme.
Then there's the fact that the offensive line which tied the Steelers featured an undrafted starting left tackle, an overall offensive line which had never existed before...
Oh I'm getting into the GOOD news stuff here!
1: Desmond Harrison is conceivably the most phyically gifted left tackle in the NFL. He's also absolutely the least experienced (including with his line-mates).
His first half vs the Steelers was really bad. His second half was better. I wish I could break the third and fourth quarter stats apart, but I can tell you that he's learning fast.
He won't catch a break vs the Saints this sunday, but he should already be at least mediocre (yay!), and his arrow is vertical, okay? You'll have to TRUST ME on this one: If Harrison doesn't fail a piss test or get injured, he'll be an elite NFL left tackle by mid-season.
2: If you think Josh Gordon can't do for Tyrod what he did for Hoyer, Campbell, and whatshisname, you're delusional.
Upon further review, Joe Haden blatently interfered with him in the end zone, and he should have had two interceptions.
Josh laughed about it, because he and Joe are freinds, but the Browns got hosed by that non-call.
It was slick, too: Joe actually used Josh's shoulderpad to simultaneously elevate himself and prevent Josh from leaping himself (note Joe was chasing him and hadn't looked back--he read Josh's eyes to read the ball on the way).
Still--the interference was blatent, and should have been flagged.
Tyrod only targeted him 3 times. Big deal. He'll be the first read vs the Saints most of the time, and thereafter.
3: Njoku has some kinda mental malfunction with his concentration, but I'm confident that he will overcome it. He already proved himself in 2017.
Famous last words: I said the same thing about Edwards Scissorhands--but I think Njoku is different. I hope.
4: Genard Avery (maybe the steal of this draft): He's a shorter (but faster) Myles Garrett (*just as strong). PFF ranked Avery higher than Garrett for the Steelers' game at "edge".
Avery is strictly a linebacker (only 6' tall), so Ogbah is a whole different animal). Avery is faster (and more "manueverable") than Garrett/Ogbah, but can't (or shouldn't) ever put his hand in the dirt.
But vs the Steelers, he was the "yang" to Garrett's "ying" edge-rush wise.
PFF was less than complimentary of Christian Kirksey vs the Steelers, and Avery IS a true linebacker...well it's too early to tell you I told you so (not that I ever would)...
But I can remind you that when the Browns drafted Avery, I said he was not a threat to Schobert, but was a threat to Kirksey.
Avery is NOT just an "edge" guy: He's a true linebacker who can mirror and cover and do all that linebacker stuff. He's bigger, quicker, and faster than Kirksey, with comparable instincts, so......
5: Jamie Collins is BACK. He wasn't as noticeable, because he was in coverage a lot. How many passes did the Steelers' tight ends catch? But 6(?) tackles is cool too.
6: I need to remind you that Larry Ogunjobi is just entering his second NFL season. He's only just begun blowing up plays in opposing backfields!
7: Demarius Randall is matching his projections at free safety (as you know, I wasn't sure he would).
You guys are mostly oblivious to this, but Randall has functioned as intended in the "angel" slot, and also outperformed Briean Boddy-Calhoun in over the slot.
Vs the run, as well as the pass.
8: The "holding the ball" bashing on Tyrod is 50% valid, but the "taking off to run prematurely" is almost total bullshit.
Some of those runs were by design, and on most of the others, you guys need to look up "premature" in your dictionaries.
Try to grasp this abstract concept: If you are an extremely athletic quarterback, RUNNING with the ball beats the hell out of EATING it.
When you are 6' tall, and inside the tackle box, you have to put the ball somewhere near an eligable receiver to "throw it away" without getting flagged for intentional grounding.
If you can't SEE the field because you are short, you can't do that safely, so you get tf out of the pocket (you know--to avoid a certain sack?)...you get outside the tackle box so you can see the field, and, find a receiver, run, or LEGALLY throw it away DUH.
Todd Haley is obviously making the most of Tyrod Taylor's unique skill-set. Tyrod is a proven "pocket passer" now, but he's also habitually conservative, and tends to hesitate and hold the ball too long.
Rather than try to "fix" that, Haley gives Tyrod the green light to run (while encouraging him to "throw it deep" to Gordon...to GORDON only...even when he looks (single)-"covered".
Ruthlessly-speaking, Todd Haley isn't sweating a Taylor injury, because he knows Mayfield is ready.
But I digress:
The Bengals beat the Ravens in Cinci, but both teams make me nervous.
I posted earlier that the perennially-overrated Ravens were dead meat, and that the Marvin Lewis-coached Bengals had lost too much talent.
I was wrong.
I STILL regard the 2018 Browns as the most talented team in the AFC North, but (dammit) both the Bengals and Ravens (not to mention the Steelers) look like top contenders for the AFC title, and I have to back off here:
Dorsey did a great job of making the 2018 Browns instant competitors, but probably us fans will have to "wait til next year" one more time.
My revised estimate is that the Bengals will overtake the and win the division, and...
Ok there is some hope here: The Browns just tied the Steelers, and will duke it out with everybody else. I insist that they have the most talent, and compable or superior coaching (forget Hue Jackson here).
I still expect the Browns to beat the Steelers in Heinz Stadium, but can't project more than a split vs the Bengals or Ravens.
The Bengals look like the best team in the Division (if not the AFC) right now.
The Browns look a lot better than we're used to seeing, but they're young and transitional...
Dorsey did his best to take over the AFC North in 2018, but he probably fell short.
All the same, 8-7-1 is almost predictable, and at least a wild card slot isn't off the table.
If the Browns don't make the playoffs in 2018, should they fire Hue Jackson?
YES. (Scroll back).
Tuesday, September 11, 2018
Myles Garrett Didn't Screw Up. Browns Have a Chance vs the Saints.
1: VP of NFL Officiating Al Riveron says the call on Myles Garrett for roughing Big Ben was a bad call, but it looks like an honest mistake, as the zebras screwed the Steelers some too.
The rule against defenders "landing on" quarterbacks makes sense, but the zebras are calling it too often; ignoring intent and elementary physics.
These are usually 275 lb-plus guys running at top speed. These officials are expecting them to what...slow down to make sure they don't fall on the guy? Kinda turn sideways and use one arm?
Hopefully, these zebras will be taught by guys like Riveron that the rule is only to be enforced if the defender deliberately "pile-drives" the quarterback into the ground, and that we are not yet ready to have NFL quarterbacks wearing pink tutus.
Jim Miller, Brett Favre, and Brady Quinn agree, and I bet so would Aaron Rodgers. (By the way, the play that injured him in 2017 would not be illegal under the new rule).
2: In the wake of the Jets massacre of the Lions, a Jets defender said that the Lions were "giving away their signals" (or something).
First, this guy needs to shut tf up. Second, this reminds me of Joe Schobert.
Pat Kirwan spoke at length about how the best scouts (ie scouting upcoming opponents) can sometimes detect very strong tendancies in opponents' offenses, and actually say "when they line up like this, then do that on this down and distance, the ball is going here eighty seven point five percent of the time".
Pat says that some of these scouts are better than others, and that some offenses are harder to peg than others, but that in this Jets/Lions game, it did look like the Jets defense was reading the Lions offense like a book.
I mentioned Joe Schobert--Gregg Williams' secret weapon. As you know if you read this Blog, Joe is Gregg's Field General. Rather than try to dictate his defense from the sidelines, Gregg always tries to find a player capable of reading an offense and calling the defense in the moment based on what he sees.
Schobert has demonstrated a frankly amazing knack for almost always coming up with the correct calls.
His own film-study and consultation with the quality control coach (that's usually who the "scout" for upcoming opponents is) certainly gives him insight into the next opponent's offense, but (I believe; this is an opinion) that Joe himself, in the moment, just uses this advance intel as a foundation.
See, this week, Joe knows that Drew Brees won't hesitate to throw to Micheal Thomas, even if Denzel Ward is on him. Brees is extremely accurate, and Thomas has a huge catch-radius.
Joe knows how Payton and Brees will dissect his own defense, so he can mentally extrapolate whatever tendancies this offense has shown with this in mind.
Unfortunately, this is a deep, multi-dimensional offense with a future Hall of Fame quarterback, and there's nothing to "key" on. Joe and the scout have their work cut out for them.
Myles Garrett can make a difference here. He can put heat on Brees (and Kamara) without any blitzing. Brees is still a good (Mayfield-like) athlete, but not a serious running threat.
Kamara is another David Johnson/Ebineezer Bell/Todd Gurley swiss army knife guy, but...
I don't know enough here. Normal offenses often keep a running back in to block vs a blitze. That's why teams blitze sometimes: to prevent sneaky bastards like that from becoming receivers.
Well it's only tuesday and I'm about to get too deep in the weeds here.
I'm guessing that seven guys in coverage won't work against this super-accurate quarterback, so Gregg/Joe will have to blitze.
Genard Avery probably plays more, and there might be more three-man fronts. Gregg has no qualms about lining Garrett and Ogbah (etc) between the guards and tackles, with Collins and Avery at OLB.
Assuming at least one linebacker always attacking from the edge, and a smaller guy often shooting inside, even Drew Brees might have to take a dive or throw it away; even Kamara might get nailed before he can make a move.
It's the "you go or I go" defense (my personal default--I'm a huge Bud Carson fan).
The Browns' offensive game-plan is obvious: Run the ball.
Fitzpatrick lit this defense up last week, possibly exposing some weaknesses in coverage, but the Saints defense is more talented than it showed, and will anticipate a pass-heavy attack after that.
Fitzpatrick is a veteran gunlinger, and he had veteran receivers in a well-established offensive system, with an established offensive line.
The Browns have just installed a new offensive system. Tyrod Taylor hasn't integrated with Josh Gordon yet. Callaway and Harrison are rookies, and Hubbard just got here (and btw he will face the Saints' best passrusher).
And the 2018 Browns should be able to run on any defense!
And yes: Tyrod Taylor is not Ryan Fitzpatrick. Fitz is both better and worse than Tyrod, because he's more aggressive, and takes more chances.
Still, Tyrod will have had another week with Josh Gordon, and maybe (?) the Saints defense can't "solve" Njoku like the Steelers did, so Tyrod WILL go deep here in week two.
The Browns have a shot. They are frankly better than the Bucs, and maybe that Saints defense aint all it was cracked up to be.
Imagine the Steelers vs the Saints. The Browns just tied the Steelers. Yes, the Browns have a chance.
Now, Lord Insideous in New England just signed Corey Coleman.
I don't get it. I mean, Dez Bryant was right there!!! Perhaps Bill should have consulted with John Dorsey first! Fortunately, this means Dez is still available for Dorsey to underpay for one season!
Err...you know sarcasm when you read it, right?
More on the Browns: How tf can so many fans turn on Tyrod Taylor so fast? The Steelers were all over him, all the time! Aaron Rodgers, or Drew Brees couldn't have done much better under those conditions!
Look no further than across the field! Does Big Ben suck now? How can you GET what the Browns defense did to Ben, and ignore what the Steelers did to Tyrod?
And now I got it from Al Riveron that all your Garrett-bashing is bullshit too! YOU PEOPLE...
Also, by the way, the encroachment call on Garrett was probably bullshit too. I'm not sure:
Unless they've changed this rule, a defender can jump offsides (without making contact with an offensive player), but it's not a neutral zone infraction or encroachment if he can withdraw before the ball is snapped.
Garrett jumped early, but recovered immediately. Villanueva broke his stance to point at Garrett (before the snap), and got his flag.
I might have missed a rule change here, but based on the "old" rules, Villanueva should have been flagged for standing up!
I'm too lazy to dig into that rulebook. Somebody do that for me and tell me if I'm wrong. Until then, I reckon Myles Garrett is blemish-free.
No knock on Villanueva, even if he was wrong. That guy volunteered for the sand-box and is on my a-list permanently...but trust a war-vet not to miss an opportunity.
Desmond Harrison was not "up and down" (no offense Gribble) in his first NFL start at left tackle. Even in the first half, he wasn't bad. In the second half, he was downright good.
As I posted after the game, Tyrod took heat from his right side. I'll dig deeper here, but for now I'll go with what Hue said and say he gave up one "pressure".
Basicly, this means that he was beaten ONCE in pass-protection. I don't know how he did run-blocking yet, but he's a left tackle, so...
And the Steelers kept TJ Watt on the strong side (vs Hubbard). TJ is their best passrusher, and they saw Hubbard as his best mismatch.
I'm still not a Hue Jackson fan, but his decision to start Harrison was a smart move.
Josh Gordon was only targeted three times in sixty nine snaps (Callaway, the nominal starter, hardly played any).
I'm not worried about this. Tyrod has learned to trust Higgins, Landry, and Njoku simply because he's had the most reps with them.
Tyrod (as I'm learning) is very "systematic". He came out of college labelled a "gimmick" air-raid dual-threat guy, and dedicated himself to becoming an NFL guy, at first just to make a roster, and then to climb the ladder.
He's become risk-averse/conservative. The Ravens traded him to Buffalo, where he became the starter. Sammy Watkins STILL hasn't lived up to his lofty draft status, and Tyrod never had a great crew of receivers in Buffalo.
But he had LeShaun McCoy and decent pass-catching tight ends, and he made the most of them (and his legs).
He's still not super-accurate, but is above average there (with excellent "touch", as well).
He has a strong arm, and will go deep, but he's reluctant to make "stick throws" (bullets into tight windows).
I admire Tyrod Taylor, because he's fought his way up from nowhere, and made the most of what he's had, and knows his own limitations. He's intelligent, disciplined, and pragmatic.
He's worked hard to "refine" himself, systematically overcoming his weaknesses, and deliberately avoiding risk (a good thing, when you're a 6' tall dual-threat "nobody" in the NFL).
I expect Tyrod to become more aggressive in 2018. He's got one year to show the rest of the NFL that he's more than just a "game manager", and he has the experiential foundation and weapons to prove it.
I repeat: This guy is highly intelligent. He will make the most of Callaway, Gordon, and Duke. And I think he'll probably make those "stick"- throws too, to fill out his resume.
For 2018, this works perfectly for the Browns as well as Tyrod Taylor, and I suspect that John Dorsey had this in mind.
...but then there's this Dez Bryant crap, which makes Dorsey look so dumb...
The rule against defenders "landing on" quarterbacks makes sense, but the zebras are calling it too often; ignoring intent and elementary physics.
These are usually 275 lb-plus guys running at top speed. These officials are expecting them to what...slow down to make sure they don't fall on the guy? Kinda turn sideways and use one arm?
Hopefully, these zebras will be taught by guys like Riveron that the rule is only to be enforced if the defender deliberately "pile-drives" the quarterback into the ground, and that we are not yet ready to have NFL quarterbacks wearing pink tutus.
Jim Miller, Brett Favre, and Brady Quinn agree, and I bet so would Aaron Rodgers. (By the way, the play that injured him in 2017 would not be illegal under the new rule).
2: In the wake of the Jets massacre of the Lions, a Jets defender said that the Lions were "giving away their signals" (or something).
First, this guy needs to shut tf up. Second, this reminds me of Joe Schobert.
Pat Kirwan spoke at length about how the best scouts (ie scouting upcoming opponents) can sometimes detect very strong tendancies in opponents' offenses, and actually say "when they line up like this, then do that on this down and distance, the ball is going here eighty seven point five percent of the time".
Pat says that some of these scouts are better than others, and that some offenses are harder to peg than others, but that in this Jets/Lions game, it did look like the Jets defense was reading the Lions offense like a book.
I mentioned Joe Schobert--Gregg Williams' secret weapon. As you know if you read this Blog, Joe is Gregg's Field General. Rather than try to dictate his defense from the sidelines, Gregg always tries to find a player capable of reading an offense and calling the defense in the moment based on what he sees.
Schobert has demonstrated a frankly amazing knack for almost always coming up with the correct calls.
His own film-study and consultation with the quality control coach (that's usually who the "scout" for upcoming opponents is) certainly gives him insight into the next opponent's offense, but (I believe; this is an opinion) that Joe himself, in the moment, just uses this advance intel as a foundation.
See, this week, Joe knows that Drew Brees won't hesitate to throw to Micheal Thomas, even if Denzel Ward is on him. Brees is extremely accurate, and Thomas has a huge catch-radius.
Joe knows how Payton and Brees will dissect his own defense, so he can mentally extrapolate whatever tendancies this offense has shown with this in mind.
Unfortunately, this is a deep, multi-dimensional offense with a future Hall of Fame quarterback, and there's nothing to "key" on. Joe and the scout have their work cut out for them.
Myles Garrett can make a difference here. He can put heat on Brees (and Kamara) without any blitzing. Brees is still a good (Mayfield-like) athlete, but not a serious running threat.
Kamara is another David Johnson/Ebineezer Bell/Todd Gurley swiss army knife guy, but...
I don't know enough here. Normal offenses often keep a running back in to block vs a blitze. That's why teams blitze sometimes: to prevent sneaky bastards like that from becoming receivers.
Well it's only tuesday and I'm about to get too deep in the weeds here.
I'm guessing that seven guys in coverage won't work against this super-accurate quarterback, so Gregg/Joe will have to blitze.
Genard Avery probably plays more, and there might be more three-man fronts. Gregg has no qualms about lining Garrett and Ogbah (etc) between the guards and tackles, with Collins and Avery at OLB.
Assuming at least one linebacker always attacking from the edge, and a smaller guy often shooting inside, even Drew Brees might have to take a dive or throw it away; even Kamara might get nailed before he can make a move.
It's the "you go or I go" defense (my personal default--I'm a huge Bud Carson fan).
The Browns' offensive game-plan is obvious: Run the ball.
Fitzpatrick lit this defense up last week, possibly exposing some weaknesses in coverage, but the Saints defense is more talented than it showed, and will anticipate a pass-heavy attack after that.
Fitzpatrick is a veteran gunlinger, and he had veteran receivers in a well-established offensive system, with an established offensive line.
The Browns have just installed a new offensive system. Tyrod Taylor hasn't integrated with Josh Gordon yet. Callaway and Harrison are rookies, and Hubbard just got here (and btw he will face the Saints' best passrusher).
And the 2018 Browns should be able to run on any defense!
And yes: Tyrod Taylor is not Ryan Fitzpatrick. Fitz is both better and worse than Tyrod, because he's more aggressive, and takes more chances.
Still, Tyrod will have had another week with Josh Gordon, and maybe (?) the Saints defense can't "solve" Njoku like the Steelers did, so Tyrod WILL go deep here in week two.
The Browns have a shot. They are frankly better than the Bucs, and maybe that Saints defense aint all it was cracked up to be.
Imagine the Steelers vs the Saints. The Browns just tied the Steelers. Yes, the Browns have a chance.
Now, Lord Insideous in New England just signed Corey Coleman.
I don't get it. I mean, Dez Bryant was right there!!! Perhaps Bill should have consulted with John Dorsey first! Fortunately, this means Dez is still available for Dorsey to underpay for one season!
Err...you know sarcasm when you read it, right?
More on the Browns: How tf can so many fans turn on Tyrod Taylor so fast? The Steelers were all over him, all the time! Aaron Rodgers, or Drew Brees couldn't have done much better under those conditions!
Look no further than across the field! Does Big Ben suck now? How can you GET what the Browns defense did to Ben, and ignore what the Steelers did to Tyrod?
And now I got it from Al Riveron that all your Garrett-bashing is bullshit too! YOU PEOPLE...
Also, by the way, the encroachment call on Garrett was probably bullshit too. I'm not sure:
Unless they've changed this rule, a defender can jump offsides (without making contact with an offensive player), but it's not a neutral zone infraction or encroachment if he can withdraw before the ball is snapped.
Garrett jumped early, but recovered immediately. Villanueva broke his stance to point at Garrett (before the snap), and got his flag.
I might have missed a rule change here, but based on the "old" rules, Villanueva should have been flagged for standing up!
I'm too lazy to dig into that rulebook. Somebody do that for me and tell me if I'm wrong. Until then, I reckon Myles Garrett is blemish-free.
No knock on Villanueva, even if he was wrong. That guy volunteered for the sand-box and is on my a-list permanently...but trust a war-vet not to miss an opportunity.
Desmond Harrison was not "up and down" (no offense Gribble) in his first NFL start at left tackle. Even in the first half, he wasn't bad. In the second half, he was downright good.
As I posted after the game, Tyrod took heat from his right side. I'll dig deeper here, but for now I'll go with what Hue said and say he gave up one "pressure".
Basicly, this means that he was beaten ONCE in pass-protection. I don't know how he did run-blocking yet, but he's a left tackle, so...
And the Steelers kept TJ Watt on the strong side (vs Hubbard). TJ is their best passrusher, and they saw Hubbard as his best mismatch.
I'm still not a Hue Jackson fan, but his decision to start Harrison was a smart move.
Josh Gordon was only targeted three times in sixty nine snaps (Callaway, the nominal starter, hardly played any).
I'm not worried about this. Tyrod has learned to trust Higgins, Landry, and Njoku simply because he's had the most reps with them.
Tyrod (as I'm learning) is very "systematic". He came out of college labelled a "gimmick" air-raid dual-threat guy, and dedicated himself to becoming an NFL guy, at first just to make a roster, and then to climb the ladder.
He's become risk-averse/conservative. The Ravens traded him to Buffalo, where he became the starter. Sammy Watkins STILL hasn't lived up to his lofty draft status, and Tyrod never had a great crew of receivers in Buffalo.
But he had LeShaun McCoy and decent pass-catching tight ends, and he made the most of them (and his legs).
He's still not super-accurate, but is above average there (with excellent "touch", as well).
He has a strong arm, and will go deep, but he's reluctant to make "stick throws" (bullets into tight windows).
I admire Tyrod Taylor, because he's fought his way up from nowhere, and made the most of what he's had, and knows his own limitations. He's intelligent, disciplined, and pragmatic.
He's worked hard to "refine" himself, systematically overcoming his weaknesses, and deliberately avoiding risk (a good thing, when you're a 6' tall dual-threat "nobody" in the NFL).
I expect Tyrod to become more aggressive in 2018. He's got one year to show the rest of the NFL that he's more than just a "game manager", and he has the experiential foundation and weapons to prove it.
I repeat: This guy is highly intelligent. He will make the most of Callaway, Gordon, and Duke. And I think he'll probably make those "stick"- throws too, to fill out his resume.
For 2018, this works perfectly for the Browns as well as Tyrod Taylor, and I suspect that John Dorsey had this in mind.
...but then there's this Dez Bryant crap, which makes Dorsey look so dumb...
A Tie Sucks, but Quit Saying You'd Prefer a Loss. Gimme a Break.
I missed Myles Garrett's dumbass shove in the back of Big Ben (which got the Steelers out of a fourth and long outside field goal range, and allowed them to score).
But it's hard to get mad at a guy who got two sacks and caused two turnovers. It's hard to listen to people suggest that Garrett cost them a victory.
He's a smart guy. He won't do that bonehead stuff again. I guess you could say that Myles technically prevented a win, but also that he sure as hell made sure his team wouldn't lose.
I can't find the tweet again, but: Since the Browns return, teams with five turnovers were 132-4-1. The Browns have managed to account for two of those losses, and the tie.
Yeah I know, that's just rediculous, but let's keep it in context: These are different players, Coaches, etc.
But yeah: If you get six turnovers, and don't win, your offense sucks.
Tyrod sometimes held the ball too long, and he did underthrow some passes, but then he ran for a bunch of yards and a touchdown, and I repeat that I don't think Baker Mayfield 1.0 could have done better overall (yet).
The Steelers' coverage was remarkably tight, and they got heat on Tyrod without opening up running lanes for him. They also did okay stuffing the run, so if you have to bash some Cleveland Browns, bash the big uglies.
I haven't dug into this yet, but I do know that TJ Watt came from the strong side, and did most of the damage vs the pass (and sometimes blowing up runs too).
The offense still needs work, but the defense is legit; ready for prime-time, right tf now.
Brees, Kamara, Thomas etc are going to make them look bad this sunday, but you need to keep it in context: They make EVERY defense look bad.
Fitzpatrick lit their defense up last week, possibly exposing weaknesses. Gregg Williams (remember "Bounty-Gate"?) was their defensive coordinator before Wade Phillips took over, so he knows Sean Payton and Drew Brees well, along with some of the veteran defenders.
The Browns defense is going rank in the top five in turnovers, and in the top ten overall, but Drew Brees/interceptions? That does not compute.
But he is sackable, or at least will throw it away sometimes...rarely--even his "throwaways" are potential receptions. Drew Brees is amazing. Baker Mayfield can be like him in time (but I digress):
In game two, the Browns defense should be able to hold the Saints offense to under 27 points. But the Browns offense is unlikely to score more than that, so...
But it's hard to get mad at a guy who got two sacks and caused two turnovers. It's hard to listen to people suggest that Garrett cost them a victory.
He's a smart guy. He won't do that bonehead stuff again. I guess you could say that Myles technically prevented a win, but also that he sure as hell made sure his team wouldn't lose.
I can't find the tweet again, but: Since the Browns return, teams with five turnovers were 132-4-1. The Browns have managed to account for two of those losses, and the tie.
Yeah I know, that's just rediculous, but let's keep it in context: These are different players, Coaches, etc.
But yeah: If you get six turnovers, and don't win, your offense sucks.
Tyrod sometimes held the ball too long, and he did underthrow some passes, but then he ran for a bunch of yards and a touchdown, and I repeat that I don't think Baker Mayfield 1.0 could have done better overall (yet).
The Steelers' coverage was remarkably tight, and they got heat on Tyrod without opening up running lanes for him. They also did okay stuffing the run, so if you have to bash some Cleveland Browns, bash the big uglies.
I haven't dug into this yet, but I do know that TJ Watt came from the strong side, and did most of the damage vs the pass (and sometimes blowing up runs too).
The offense still needs work, but the defense is legit; ready for prime-time, right tf now.
Brees, Kamara, Thomas etc are going to make them look bad this sunday, but you need to keep it in context: They make EVERY defense look bad.
Fitzpatrick lit their defense up last week, possibly exposing weaknesses. Gregg Williams (remember "Bounty-Gate"?) was their defensive coordinator before Wade Phillips took over, so he knows Sean Payton and Drew Brees well, along with some of the veteran defenders.
The Browns defense is going rank in the top five in turnovers, and in the top ten overall, but Drew Brees/interceptions? That does not compute.
But he is sackable, or at least will throw it away sometimes...rarely--even his "throwaways" are potential receptions. Drew Brees is amazing. Baker Mayfield can be like him in time (but I digress):
In game two, the Browns defense should be able to hold the Saints offense to under 27 points. But the Browns offense is unlikely to score more than that, so...
Monday, September 10, 2018
Browns Tie Steelers. We Suck. Game Over, Man! We're All Gonna Die
Browns permabashers will find ways to bash the 2018 Browns for not beating a Superbowl contender in game one. Obviously, they are idiots.
The Browns should actually have won, because they are the more talented team, but if you have a brain, you get the new offense/players part of this.
The Steelers are veterans. They don't screw up.
If you think Big Ben screwed up, you're wrong. His passes were deflected. You could call one pick a bad decision, but I don't agree with that either. That was an exceptional play by an exceptional cornerback.
Likewise, my peeps were blaming Tyrod for inclompetions to Josh Gordon.
Not at all: This is a timing offense, and Tyrod's passes were on-time and on the money. This bastard Joe Haden (I kid) messed that up (at least twice).
I'm happy that Joe Haden has come back so strong, because he's a good guy. I had written him off as a player, but was wrong. Dammit.
Tyrod has the green light to run here under Haley, and salvaged drives doing so. He doen't need to "slide" neccessarily, either. He's as tough as any running back.
I don't think Baker Mayfield would have done any better here...or even as well. Tyrod Taylor was NOT the "problem" here.
I'll check on this, but it looks like Desmond Harrison did well. TJ Watt attacked from the strong side, so if you need a scapegoat, blame Hubbard.
Harrison had a false start and allowed one sack that I saw, but otherwise more than held his own. (Not sure he allowed the sack, either--want to see the film; if it was a stunt it wasn't on him).
The Steelers are no doubt bummed out, since this Ebineezer Bell stuff got them all inspired and galvanized and stuff (you know, they just made up their minds to prove they don't need him, ergo the Browns were even MORE doomed right?)--and they didn't win?
I knew all about Conner. He's a top-notch running back. But the Browns are good vs the run...now these guys think they can buckle their chin-straps and steamroll Gregg Wiliams just because they're pissed off?
The arrogance here is mind-burgling. The Steelers probably wouldn't have won WITH Bell.
To be sure, Conner is the real deal. He might not be Bell, but he's not that far off. The Browns faced a balanced offense here, with a real running back (who can catch passes and stuff).
And you need to give the Steelers' defense credit for overwhelming the Browns line two times in a row after one of those turnovers. Tyrod never had a chance.
You people never seem to respect the enemy. You should avoid carreers in coaching at any level.
I said the Steelers' defense was "so-so", but that was ignorant of me. They've upgraded their secondary this offseason, and even in 2017 that defense was pretty good.
I do suspect that the all-out blitzes they unleashed a couple times on Tyrod may have exploited a flaw they spotted in him (I'm not sure yet).
It's hard for me to figure out myself, since that kitchen-sink blitze sealed off every escape route, would have blown up any handoff attempt, and gave Tyrod less than one second before getting sacked.
Would Mayfield have done better? No...not yet. In time, he might get rid of the ball (without intentionally grounding) to avoid the sack, or crossed his fingers and thrown to a "spot"...
Well in time, Baker Mayfield could defeat that kitchen-sink blitze, because he'd throw it up to his "hot" reciever; to a spot.
You guys don't get how hard this is for quarterbacks. To throw it up in the air like that? Tyrod won't take that shot. Mayfield will.
If that kitchen-sink 6 or 7-man passrush was "the answer", every defense would do it. But if you try it on Rodgers, or Brees?
Still, Mayfield isn't "there" yet, and Tyrod should remain the starter. If you're already calling for Tyrod's head, you need a brain transplant.
The offensive line (except Hubbard) did a good job overall.
The Steelers coverage was exceptional. I saw a bunch of perfect passes screwed up by these guys. Even that great catch by Landry only happened when he knew it was coming, and spun around to buy himself a few inches of space.
I admit it when I'm fulla crap, and I was in re the Steelers' defense. They're at least a top-ten unit.
Based on what I saw here, the 2018 Steelers are better than the 2017 Steelers, and that's good for them, since otherwise they couldn't have achieved a tie here/now.
Because the 2018 Browns are more talented than the 2018 Steelers. Barring a bunch of injuries, the Browns will beat them at home in the rematch. The Browns are the better team, and will have matured and integrated by then.
Oh excuse me: Big Ben will need to redeem himself, and Ebineezer Bell will be back. Obviously, the Browns are doomed. My bad.
On to the Saints. The Browns have a great chance, since the Saints quarterback is only 6' tall...I am being sarcastic get it?
Anyway as scary as the Saints are, they're not much scarier than the Stoolers. The Browns have a chance. More later.
..
Oh excuse me: Big Ben will need to redeem himself, and Ebineezer Bell will be back. Obviously, the Browns are doomed. My bad.
On to the Saints. The Browns have a great chance, since the Saints quarterback is only 6' tall...I am being sarcastic get it?
Anyway as scary as the Saints are, they're not much scarier than the Stoolers. The Browns have a chance. More later.
..
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