I'm in Free Agent/Trade withdrawal. (C'mmon, John...I'mm mm jonesin' mann...)
But thanks to the Ravens' Tony Jefferson, I have something to write about: Tony says that the Cleveland Browns will have to come take the AFC North from the Ravens.
That's no surprise. He has to talk like that, because he is a Raven. Tony is also right that a lot of teams that loaded up on talent in one offseason fell on their faces when the lights came on.
But with all due respect to Tony, the Eagles and the Rams didn't, and the 2019 Browns are following that template: Building around a young franchise quarterback on his rookie deal.
The ones that failed squandered all their draft picks on a quarterback, or massively overpaid one, and blew either their draft picks or salary cap on one player.
Nick Snook tells us how the rest of the AFC North did in the offseason (as of a few days ago), and we can check out the Ravens:
They lost Z'adarius Smith, Terrelle Suggs, Eric Weddle, and C J Mosely from their NFL-best 2018 defense.
They did a great job of replacing Weddle with Earl Thomas, and signed corner Justin Bethel, but yeah, they took a bad hit overall.
The Suggs thing is predictably being over-inflated, as expecting a linebacker his age not to lose something is just silly. But the Mosely thing was very bad.
The Ravens did sign Saints RB Gramps Ingram, who should still kick butt in 2019 (and catch passes too. Since the Saints got that other guy, everybody forgot Ingram is an accomplished receiver).
They managed to hold onto most of the rest of their offense, but that's not saying much, and yes: I'm including Lamar Jackson.
Willie Snead is their X receiver, and Jordan Lasley is next. (One Ravens fan said that Browns fans are "delusional" if they think their 2019 wide receivers are better than the Ravens'. I kid you not!)
Obviously, Harbaugh has to go all-in with Lamar Jackson and his still-strong defense, so it's going to be smashmouth and misdirection out the yinyang on offense.
I'd be lying to myself if I said it would be easy to stop, or that Lamar Jackson can't play in the Lamar-freindly system Harbaugh has designed for him...
It will be unique in the NFL, just as Lamar Jackson is unique. None of the athletic quarterbacks in the NFL (including RG3) are anything like him, which is why some teams asked him to convert to wide receiver.
Charlie Weiss (among others) is a huge Lamar Jackson fan. As a thrower, Jackson has "decent" accuracy and a great arm. You can't expect him to stand in a pocket and distribute the ball (like the quarterbacks did in the olden days, or Brady does now), but if you "use him right", he'll be very hard to stop.
Still, the 2019 Ravens *ahead of further signings and the draft* offense will not be in the same zip code as the Browns or Steelers' offenses.
On third and long, Big Ben or Mayfield vs Jackson is a huge mismatch, even without comparing the wide receivers and tight ends.
Anyway, in 2018 the Browns split with the Ravens due to another Browns' missed Field Goal in the season finale.
In that final game, Baker Mayfield and co racked up 24 points on the Ravens defense.
NOW, Mayfield has OBJ! Njoku enters his third season, Callaway and Chubb their second, and the Ravens just lost C J Mosely sooo...
I'm sparing you the link, but another writer predicts that the Steelers will recapture the AFC North in 2019.
He does make some of the good points I have:
The loss of Antonio Brown is being over-inflated. It will certainly hurt them, but Big Ben had at least as much to do with AB's awesome numbers as AB himself did.
Moncrief is a very solid replacement, and they do have young talent in the wings.
Ebineezer Bell is irrelevant, and they have held onto that great offensive line, so (until Big Ben bites it) the Steelers will remain an offensive juggernaut.
But this writer? He predicted that the 2019 Browns would "collapse under the pressure" of their "overhyped" fan expectations!
Who is going to choke? Baker Mayfield? Steve Wilks? Errah...Freddie Kitchens will uhh...start calling dumb plays?
That's an irrational prediction, so the hell with it.
The guy ignored the respective defenses.
Gramps Barron can't be Ryan Shazier anymore, but will help the Steelers' defense a lot.
But not enough. This writer declaims several games the 2018 Steelers lost on bad calls, guys slipping, etc, but conveniently ignores the fact that Tyrod Taylor's Browns' became the Keystone Cops in managing to somehow not beat them in the season opener.
He predicts that in 2019 the "ball will bounce back the Steelers way", ergo they will win the AFC North again.
Now, I stand corrected by Jake Burns (again dammit) on how good Derrick Kindred is or can be in coverage.
He lists a bunch of safety options who he thinks will fit the Steve Wilks defense better than Kindred does, and provides films and analysis to back all his assertions up.
Jake starts with the available veteran free agents, and drives through the draft from the second to fourth rounds.
All these guys look awesome, but at the end of each analysis, Jake brings us back to reality with age, injury histories, inexperience/rawness, etc.
Tre Boston is (I think) still out there (with Cyprian and Berry), and I kinda think John Dorsey is talking to their agents...and waiting for them to see what Jake Burns sees, and come back down to Earth with their demands.
I'll spare you the link, but another writer thinks that the Browns should trade with the Raiders for SS Karl Joseph, who excels vs the run...to replace Rodney Kindredfield.
...because he is great vs the RUN...
This is sad: the writer's sole reason for this trade is the fact that Kindred missed more tackles than Joseph in 2018.
Joseph and Kindred are nearly identical.
Nick Snook beat me to analyzing Daniel Jeremiah's "advice" to the Browns after the OBJ trade, but he did a great job of it.
Jeremiah points to "focus": The Browns top pick is now 17th in the second round.
Every team naturally focuses on their top draft pick. You can't miss on that guy, or you get fired.
Jeremiah says (basicly) that, now that Dorsey has traded that first round pick, he and his staff can check out the other guys more thoroughly.
Daniel thinks that Dorsey and company will now do a better job of finding diamonds in the rough, surprise starters, and super-special-teamers with their remaining draft picks, now that they can write off a bunch of top-ranked players who might have been there at 17th overall, or (for that matter) 33rd overall.
17th in the second round is their top pick now. The Browns can out-analyze and scout almost everybody else in the lower rounds.
That's enough for now...except to note: the talent upgrades the Browns have made, and Baker Mayfield are real--not "hype". So are the losses the other teams suffered.
Thursday, March 21, 2019
Sunday, March 17, 2019
2019 Bowns Greatest Show on Turf, or an Asylum run by Inmates?
Last week, I compared the current Browns roster (and likely scheme) to the Greatest Show on Turf ('99-'02 Rams).
That was a bit of a knee-jerk generalization, so I checked Mike Martz/Kurt Warner's team out in some more detail to find similarities and differences.
Like Martz, Todd Monken favors a variation of "Air Coryall"'s vertical spread scheme, and ran it with great results last season in Tampa Bay.
Freddie Kitchens, who is not handing the keys to his offense over to Todd, is a little different, as he used up to three running backs, or three tight ends at times.
Freddie Kitchens seems to be open-minded, however, and did himself run some Monken-like stuff. He just used Njoku, Duke, and even Darren Fells as spead players.
Kitchens is very adaptable, and just got himself OBJ to go with Jarvis Landry, Antonio Callaway, and David Njoku.
Secondarily, you will see that Nick Chubb will be effective out of the slot, and Kareem Hunt has already proven himself there (so he's Memorex Moron-proof.)
The Greatest Show on Turf basically passed to set up the run (but actually ran a more conventional offense once they were in the lead; Marshall Faulk racked up over 1350 yards on the ground one season).
Back then, most defenses were copying Buddy Ryan's zone-blitzes and giving the (big, tall) quarterbacks major fits.
The rest of the NFL was using a second back to pick up blitzes and using a conventional in-line tight end in an effort to buy their big, tall guys more time to throw.
Martz said screw that, and essentially ran his third down offense on first and second downs instead.
As I've written a lot, it gets hard to blitze when there are four-plus guys going out for passes, and at least three of them are five yards away from the offensive tackles.
This is news to some of you, but the Defense is only allowed to field eleven players. If you try to single-cover four receivers without at least one safety over the top (vs a Warner...or a Mayfield) you are suicidal, so you only have six guys left for the box.
If you send a strong safety or linebacker on a blitze, that leaves one guy to cover the whole short middle...well it's just a big problem, okay?
Mike Martz wasn't a genius. When he became a Head Coach elsewhere later, he tried to run the same offense regardless of his quarterbacks and receivers, and failed, as he refused to adapt.
However, the 2019 Browns have all the talent that the '99 Rams had...sorta.
Orlando Pace was a great left tackle, and the Rams coughed up four draft picks to move up and draft him. For those Rams, this was critical.
I believe that big, tall Trent Green was the projected starter at that time, but even if he wasn't, Kurt Warner was not considered a mobile quarterback.
The 2019 Browns don't have that Left Tackle (unless Desmond Harrison rises to his potential in his second season).
But in 1999, there was no such thing as a Run-Pass Option, and I'm not even sure the inside and outside zone-blocking schemes had been invented yet.
I am sure that "edge-rushers" were all the rage in 1999.
Sans an Orlando Pace (or Joe Thomas), I still can't just say that the 2019 Browns can do everything the Greatest Show on Turf did, but that comes with a huge asterisk:
Freddie Kitchens exploited Mayfield's mobility, and ability to throw "off-platform", and even gain yards on the ground.
He generally avoided seven-step drops as well (to help out his tackles). I may be selling Greg Robinson short here, but I expect this to continue.
...but being a geezer, I can tell you that Kurt Warner himself was rarely seven steps deep himself, and got rid of the ball as quickly as any Quarterback in the NFL sooo.....
One writer called Orlando Pace the "unsung glue" that held that juggernaut together. WRONG.
Hall of Famers Kurt Warner and Marshall Faulk were what made the whole thing work.
The 2019 Browns have their Kurt Warner in Baker Mayfield.
They don't have anybody like Marshall Faulk. Duke is similar, but not as fast. Chubb and Hunt are much bigger and more physical, but all of them can catch passes.
The "old" Rams have been comparing their team to the current Rams, and actually, the 2019 Browns have similarities to both teams. The 2019 Browns have one Todd Gurley and (trust me) another one about to emerge (Chubb).
Per the GSOT players, the big thing for both teams was that there were not any Divas. None of them were selfish, and they rooted for eachother. They all wanted to win games first and last.
Some of you people (and Cowherd) look at OBJ, Landry, Mayfield, and anticipate finger-pointing and intra-team twitter-wars. I respect that, but you're overlooking something:
Great quarterbacks spread the ball around automatically, and most receivers get this...hopefully including OBJ.
Let OBJ experience winning games, and he can't spazz out (even if he wants to). Torry Holt was (kinda) the top receiver for the GSOT, but the other guys (including Faulk sometimes) caught about as many passes as he did.
You have to be mentally impaired (or Antonio Brown) to resent a great quarterback not focussing on you if you are winning games.
Player-wise, the 2019 Browns' roster is as loaded as Warner's was, but with a better defense (now).
It's going to be more physical...
I've gone back through all the Browns teams I can remember. None of those Kardiak Kidz rosters had anywhere near this much talent. None of Schottenheimer's teams.
Aikman's Cowboys were awesome. Montana's 49ers were right up there, and of course you gotta put the Greatest Show on Turf with or above them offensively.
NONE of the Patriots' teams were as talented as the 2019 Browns (even so far).
Now for some corrections:
1: Julian Edelman is not the standard for slot-receivers. He is the best. Stop looking at Jarvis Landry as nobody, and stop saying the Browns "lack" a (insert Antonio Callaway's scouting reports here) slot-receiver. For that matter, quit ignoring Duke in the slot.
1a: Stop modelling every offense in the NFL per the Patriots. All that is is Lord Insideous adapting to the talent he has on his roster! He's run every scheme and personnel group concievable and you think you can beat him by copying what he did last year!?!
2: Copying what other successful offenses win with is dumb, especially if you don't have the people to do what they did. Even if you do have that talent, it's still dumb, because Defenses adapt.
Copycats lose. Creative, adaptable people win.
As I've said, Freddie Kitchens may or may not be a genius, but common sense is all that is required of him!
Now, Randy Gurzi came up with three safety candidates to keep Rodney Kindredfield on the bench (or in another role).
Steve Wilks's likely defensive scheme is 3-deep and zone for those three players. I disagree with Randy (and everybody else) that Derrick Kindred has no place in this scheme, but the veteran safeties Randy lists should be affordable, and are all better in coverage.
Ex-Viking Andrew Sendejo slipped last year, but was playing with a groin injury. Browns fans should recall Joe Haden, who had similar issues. I personally supported his release, but he's regained his form with the Steelers (dammit).
Sendejo is younger. And bigger.
Johnathan Cyprien was one of the best safeties in the NFL 'til he got injured (twice: the bad one was a hamstring). He's 28.
Randy's number one option is (rightfully) Tre Boston, who is still young, and a candidate for a longer-term deal.
Gurzi, who has better sources than I do, can't figure out why this guy is persona non grata, but I think we can count on John Dorsey to be checking him out.
Leverage matters, and he looks cheap.
I tip my hat to Randy Gurzi here, as all these guys fit well next to Damarius Randall in a Wilks scheme, and his favorite is a likely long-term signing at a cap-freindly price.
Dan Justik caught me napping as he points out that Austin Corbett's "inherrittance" of Kevin Zeitler's Right Guard spot won't be uncontested.
Newly-signed interior Offensive Lineman Eric Kush was a STUD pass-protector.
Dan (and I) expect Austin Corbett to win the RG starting slot, but Kush will give him hell (and no doubt teach him a few things).
Competition is good. Socialists can't or won't comprehend this, but this is why the United States, despite the deliberate and systematic...
Nevermind I'm in enough trouble as it is...
Competition is good. Austin Corbett will have to at least come close to Kush in pass-protection by the middle of preseason, or he might not start.
I think Corbett WILL start, because he's a superior athlete and a strong run-blocker, and because he has more long-term upside even if Kush looks better up-front, in-turn because chemistry is critical for offensive linemen, and well...is any of this sinking in yet?
Competition is good (in the real world): Corbett will be duking it out with Ogunjobi and Sheldon Richardson in practice.
Because they are teammates, these guys will "coach" Corbett, as Joe Thomas coached Myles Garrett.
Competition is good.
Skipping back to the Greatest Show on Turf, those offensive skill-players were competing with eachother: Trying to out-do the other guys after the catch!
I doubt that OBJ will be a problem on this specific team. I know he's a clown, but he's not like Antonio Brown. He will get paid. He will win.
His bro Jarvis Landry will (if neccessary) spell out for the less-mature Beckham that Callaway, Njoku, etc are like HIM, and they deserve to be targetted too!
It's critical that Baker Mayfield himself had a "summit-conference" with OBJ and Landry during the combine (no doubt with drinks)...
Baker no doubt told OBJ then and there that he would not "favor" OBJ whatsoever.
"If somebody is open deeper, I'll hit him. If somebody is more open than you, I'll hit him. You will need to accept my decisions. You can't be selfish, if you come here."
Trust me: Mayfield spelled this out to OBJ. He might even gave given Dorsey the green light in re trading for OBJ, based on that meeting.
That was a bit of a knee-jerk generalization, so I checked Mike Martz/Kurt Warner's team out in some more detail to find similarities and differences.
Like Martz, Todd Monken favors a variation of "Air Coryall"'s vertical spread scheme, and ran it with great results last season in Tampa Bay.
Freddie Kitchens, who is not handing the keys to his offense over to Todd, is a little different, as he used up to three running backs, or three tight ends at times.
Freddie Kitchens seems to be open-minded, however, and did himself run some Monken-like stuff. He just used Njoku, Duke, and even Darren Fells as spead players.
Kitchens is very adaptable, and just got himself OBJ to go with Jarvis Landry, Antonio Callaway, and David Njoku.
Secondarily, you will see that Nick Chubb will be effective out of the slot, and Kareem Hunt has already proven himself there (so he's Memorex Moron-proof.)
The Greatest Show on Turf basically passed to set up the run (but actually ran a more conventional offense once they were in the lead; Marshall Faulk racked up over 1350 yards on the ground one season).
Back then, most defenses were copying Buddy Ryan's zone-blitzes and giving the (big, tall) quarterbacks major fits.
The rest of the NFL was using a second back to pick up blitzes and using a conventional in-line tight end in an effort to buy their big, tall guys more time to throw.
Martz said screw that, and essentially ran his third down offense on first and second downs instead.
As I've written a lot, it gets hard to blitze when there are four-plus guys going out for passes, and at least three of them are five yards away from the offensive tackles.
This is news to some of you, but the Defense is only allowed to field eleven players. If you try to single-cover four receivers without at least one safety over the top (vs a Warner...or a Mayfield) you are suicidal, so you only have six guys left for the box.
If you send a strong safety or linebacker on a blitze, that leaves one guy to cover the whole short middle...well it's just a big problem, okay?
Mike Martz wasn't a genius. When he became a Head Coach elsewhere later, he tried to run the same offense regardless of his quarterbacks and receivers, and failed, as he refused to adapt.
However, the 2019 Browns have all the talent that the '99 Rams had...sorta.
Orlando Pace was a great left tackle, and the Rams coughed up four draft picks to move up and draft him. For those Rams, this was critical.
I believe that big, tall Trent Green was the projected starter at that time, but even if he wasn't, Kurt Warner was not considered a mobile quarterback.
The 2019 Browns don't have that Left Tackle (unless Desmond Harrison rises to his potential in his second season).
But in 1999, there was no such thing as a Run-Pass Option, and I'm not even sure the inside and outside zone-blocking schemes had been invented yet.
I am sure that "edge-rushers" were all the rage in 1999.
Sans an Orlando Pace (or Joe Thomas), I still can't just say that the 2019 Browns can do everything the Greatest Show on Turf did, but that comes with a huge asterisk:
Freddie Kitchens exploited Mayfield's mobility, and ability to throw "off-platform", and even gain yards on the ground.
He generally avoided seven-step drops as well (to help out his tackles). I may be selling Greg Robinson short here, but I expect this to continue.
...but being a geezer, I can tell you that Kurt Warner himself was rarely seven steps deep himself, and got rid of the ball as quickly as any Quarterback in the NFL sooo.....
One writer called Orlando Pace the "unsung glue" that held that juggernaut together. WRONG.
Hall of Famers Kurt Warner and Marshall Faulk were what made the whole thing work.
The 2019 Browns have their Kurt Warner in Baker Mayfield.
They don't have anybody like Marshall Faulk. Duke is similar, but not as fast. Chubb and Hunt are much bigger and more physical, but all of them can catch passes.
The "old" Rams have been comparing their team to the current Rams, and actually, the 2019 Browns have similarities to both teams. The 2019 Browns have one Todd Gurley and (trust me) another one about to emerge (Chubb).
Per the GSOT players, the big thing for both teams was that there were not any Divas. None of them were selfish, and they rooted for eachother. They all wanted to win games first and last.
Some of you people (and Cowherd) look at OBJ, Landry, Mayfield, and anticipate finger-pointing and intra-team twitter-wars. I respect that, but you're overlooking something:
Great quarterbacks spread the ball around automatically, and most receivers get this...hopefully including OBJ.
Let OBJ experience winning games, and he can't spazz out (even if he wants to). Torry Holt was (kinda) the top receiver for the GSOT, but the other guys (including Faulk sometimes) caught about as many passes as he did.
You have to be mentally impaired (or Antonio Brown) to resent a great quarterback not focussing on you if you are winning games.
Player-wise, the 2019 Browns' roster is as loaded as Warner's was, but with a better defense (now).
It's going to be more physical...
I've gone back through all the Browns teams I can remember. None of those Kardiak Kidz rosters had anywhere near this much talent. None of Schottenheimer's teams.
Aikman's Cowboys were awesome. Montana's 49ers were right up there, and of course you gotta put the Greatest Show on Turf with or above them offensively.
NONE of the Patriots' teams were as talented as the 2019 Browns (even so far).
Now for some corrections:
1: Julian Edelman is not the standard for slot-receivers. He is the best. Stop looking at Jarvis Landry as nobody, and stop saying the Browns "lack" a (insert Antonio Callaway's scouting reports here) slot-receiver. For that matter, quit ignoring Duke in the slot.
1a: Stop modelling every offense in the NFL per the Patriots. All that is is Lord Insideous adapting to the talent he has on his roster! He's run every scheme and personnel group concievable and you think you can beat him by copying what he did last year!?!
2: Copying what other successful offenses win with is dumb, especially if you don't have the people to do what they did. Even if you do have that talent, it's still dumb, because Defenses adapt.
Copycats lose. Creative, adaptable people win.
As I've said, Freddie Kitchens may or may not be a genius, but common sense is all that is required of him!
Now, Randy Gurzi came up with three safety candidates to keep Rodney Kindredfield on the bench (or in another role).
Steve Wilks's likely defensive scheme is 3-deep and zone for those three players. I disagree with Randy (and everybody else) that Derrick Kindred has no place in this scheme, but the veteran safeties Randy lists should be affordable, and are all better in coverage.
Ex-Viking Andrew Sendejo slipped last year, but was playing with a groin injury. Browns fans should recall Joe Haden, who had similar issues. I personally supported his release, but he's regained his form with the Steelers (dammit).
Sendejo is younger. And bigger.
Johnathan Cyprien was one of the best safeties in the NFL 'til he got injured (twice: the bad one was a hamstring). He's 28.
Randy's number one option is (rightfully) Tre Boston, who is still young, and a candidate for a longer-term deal.
Gurzi, who has better sources than I do, can't figure out why this guy is persona non grata, but I think we can count on John Dorsey to be checking him out.
Leverage matters, and he looks cheap.
I tip my hat to Randy Gurzi here, as all these guys fit well next to Damarius Randall in a Wilks scheme, and his favorite is a likely long-term signing at a cap-freindly price.
Dan Justik caught me napping as he points out that Austin Corbett's "inherrittance" of Kevin Zeitler's Right Guard spot won't be uncontested.
Newly-signed interior Offensive Lineman Eric Kush was a STUD pass-protector.
Dan (and I) expect Austin Corbett to win the RG starting slot, but Kush will give him hell (and no doubt teach him a few things).
Competition is good. Socialists can't or won't comprehend this, but this is why the United States, despite the deliberate and systematic...
Nevermind I'm in enough trouble as it is...
Competition is good. Austin Corbett will have to at least come close to Kush in pass-protection by the middle of preseason, or he might not start.
I think Corbett WILL start, because he's a superior athlete and a strong run-blocker, and because he has more long-term upside even if Kush looks better up-front, in-turn because chemistry is critical for offensive linemen, and well...is any of this sinking in yet?
Competition is good (in the real world): Corbett will be duking it out with Ogunjobi and Sheldon Richardson in practice.
Because they are teammates, these guys will "coach" Corbett, as Joe Thomas coached Myles Garrett.
Competition is good.
Skipping back to the Greatest Show on Turf, those offensive skill-players were competing with eachother: Trying to out-do the other guys after the catch!
I doubt that OBJ will be a problem on this specific team. I know he's a clown, but he's not like Antonio Brown. He will get paid. He will win.
His bro Jarvis Landry will (if neccessary) spell out for the less-mature Beckham that Callaway, Njoku, etc are like HIM, and they deserve to be targetted too!
It's critical that Baker Mayfield himself had a "summit-conference" with OBJ and Landry during the combine (no doubt with drinks)...
Baker no doubt told OBJ then and there that he would not "favor" OBJ whatsoever.
"If somebody is open deeper, I'll hit him. If somebody is more open than you, I'll hit him. You will need to accept my decisions. You can't be selfish, if you come here."
Trust me: Mayfield spelled this out to OBJ. He might even gave given Dorsey the green light in re trading for OBJ, based on that meeting.
Saturday, March 16, 2019
Duke Johnson, Hunt, Bad Analysis, Ogbah, and the Browns
Randy Gurzi documents Colon Cowherd's ongoing Browns-bashing campaign.
Honestly, I agree with about 12.5% of what he said, considering Baker Mayfield's taunting and insulting Hue Jackson, and the immaturity of OBJ, but the rest is delusional crap.
Freddie Kitchens is a "puppet" now? Wow, that's Olympic-caliber conclusion-leaping there!
Colon just makes stuff up! He needs to get back on his meds! I remember the guy saying how all the Browns' interest in (the "undraftable") Mayfield ahead of the draft was faked, since obviously they wanted Sam Drnold instead.
I think the guy can't stand being proven wrong, either:
First, Dorsey goes ahead and drafts Mayfield. In Colon's expert opinion, that was crazy.
Second, Mayfield sets a bunch of rookie quarterback records in only 13 1/2 games. Colon has it all over his face, but instead of just admitting it, he changes his angle and attacks something else.
And this "puppet" stuff! Well, Kitchens went from running game coordinator to offensive coordinator to Head Coach in half a season, so in Colon's alleged mind, the only possible reason is because Dorsey wants somebody he can push around!
How does that work? Dorsey dictates the game plans, or just who starts? Did Dorsey use three tight ends and the Wishbone? Must have been Dorsey, right?
It couldn't possibly be that Freddie Kitchens is just that good!
This is how blockheads think:
You have to "pay your dues" and work your way up the ladder. This is the only way.
A quarterback has to be 6'2" or taller, with a squeaky-clean record, and gentlemanly on the field decorum at all times.
You can't sign a Kareem Hunt, no matter how cheap he is. Let somebody else sign him. Like the Steelers or Ravens.
You can't trade for an OBJ for any price, no matter what.
If Colon Cowherd were a GM, John Dorsey would want him in the AFC North.
I do have some concerns about stupid twitter-wars and childish sideline displays, but to listen to Colon, the Browns will be an asylum.
Well I guess extremism gets audience, so Colon is just the guy who hits 50 homers and strikes out 125 times, ya no?
In case you haven't seen it yet, this fan's hype video is really well-done!
Bucky Brooks says that the Cleveland Browns are following the same blueprint that the Eagles and Rams used: surrounding a rookie Quarterback with as much talent as possible as quickly as possible (while they can afford it).
It got the Eagles a Lombardi Trophy. The Rams didn't make it (due to some horrific officiating), but were a dominating team.
I read an earlier "You can't buy a championship" article (yawn) warning John Dorsey and stuff. The Redskins (with RG3) were one of the teams cited.
This article was stupid. The Redskins coughed up THREE first round draft picks and a second-rounder to move up to #2 overall and draft Rg3.
The Skins had to hit free agency hard. RG3 had a great rookie season, then got injured, then crapped out.
There is no similarity to the current Browns situation whatsoever. Mayfield isn't a rookie, the core of the team was here even before Dorsey arrived, and the Browns still have most of their draft picks.
And anyway, the Redskins failed because of that idiotic trade.
Speaking of trades, Kyle Kelly lists four potential suitors for Duke Johnson, and they all make a ton of sense. I strongly suspect that Kyle nailed it. I'd be very surprised if all four of the teams he listed (Falcons/Jags/Eagles/Colts) haven't all been talking to Dorsey about Duke.
Kyle misses Duke's ability to line up at wide receiver and catch passes (he kept saying "out of the backfield"), and that's one of Duke's strongest selling-points.
There are no doubt several other teams that will be sniffing around because of it. Duke is a bargain at his current salary, and teams lacking WR depth will see that he never drops a pass.
The Browns have Nick Chubb now, and are eyeball-deep in wide receivers, but on some weaker rosters, Duke Johnson might play on over 50 snaps a game (not as the "bell-cow", but as the swiss army knife).
Duke has real value. John Dorsey is waiting for some other GM to admit it, and pay up (at least a third rounder. Or a defensive player.)
I hate to redundationalize yet again here, but Rodney Hilliardfield proved a lot as a rookie in preseason, outperforming his scouting reports by catching passes and being more elusive than advertized.
He was unmistakably tested in Duke Johnson's role, and unmistakably passed that test. But of course, he was a rookie, and Duke is Duke, so he was rarely used (except on special teams) during the regular season.
For the Memorex Morons, he fell off the edge of the Earth (right behind Austin Corbett).
But actually, Hilliard should return in 2019 at around 210 lbs, and should progress as a blocker and receiver in his inevitable sophomore leap.
While Hilliard can't do what Nick Chubb does, big one-cut running backs are far from rare, and Dorsey won't sweat Duke's absence.
As for Kareem Hunt, John Dorsey will probably try to extend his contract through 2020 before he takes the field in game 9 2019.
At first glance, this looks unlikely (unless Dorsey overpays), but the fact that Nick Chubb is the top dog here means that Hunt might not play much.
Hunt could enter free agency with a lot less leverage than he expects to have. That video made him "untouchable" for some teams, and will haunt him in every negotiation for the balance of his carreer.
And of course, there would be more to this new contract:
1: Dorsey makes it clear to the player and his agent that he plans to trade Hunt. He is offering more money than Hunt is likeley to get on the open market, and can guarantee that whoever trades for him will make him their bellcow.
2: If Hunt signs the extention, he will get paid moe munnah right NOW.
3: If Hunt signs the extention, Dorsey will ask Freddie Kitchens to use him more, so he can "show-case" himself for other teams (SHHH! Don't tell Colon!!!)
Hunt's agent will know that the trade-price for any team trading for Hunt would be high enough that that team would want to lock the player up for awhile, so he can bring his gun, ski-mask, and Brinks truck.
Dorsey will try this, anyway, but might get turned down. Anyway I still can't get through to him for some reason so one of you guys tell him to do this ok?
But for 2019? Ohhh man are you kidding me?!?
Nick Chubb gets a boo-boo? Who cares?
And it's Freddie Kitchens! My God he'll have OBJ, Landry, Njoku, Chubb and Hunt (not to mention Callaway) all at the same time! With Baker Mayfield under center, it could get all historical up in here!!!
I'm a geezer, so I remember Mack and Byner.
Marty ran a 2-back, and Earnest Byner was often Kevin Mack's lead-blocker. That says a lot about Byner, because he was under 210 lbs and Mack was over 230 (and faster too).
Byner was also a prolific receiver out of the backfield in Lindy Infante's "long hand-off" (read 3-yard dump-pass) offense.
If Haley were still here...nevermind. But with Freddie Kitchens? Freddie WILL use both these guys, and it can be even deadlier in today's NFL.
BOTH running backs are up near 230 lbs, and are accomplished receivers (Kevin Mack rarely caught pass). Beyond that, both can (at least) line up in the slot as well (Byner never did).
After game 8 in 2019, Freddie Kitchens can open up a can of whupass such as the NFL has never seen (mainly because Freddie Kitchens is in charge now. MOST Head Coaches would have either Chubb or Hunt on the bench on every down).
Hunt/Chubb is unsustainable, but they have an 8-game window with two top-five running backs.
With Baker Mayfield at Quarterback, how do you stop this? The Cliff Notes answer is, you can't.
The 2019 Browns should easily be at least 5-3 through the first 8 games. At that point, Kareem Hunt comes back on-line, and (again due to Kitchens and Mayfield) they can plow every defense in the NFL under.
Do you get this? Chubb/Hunt/Njoku DEMAND a base 3-4 or 4-3. That's four defensive backs to cover Landry, OBJ, and Njoku (nobody will try a linebacker anymore).
Here goes Hunt to the slot...good luck with that! And now your "big" people are...nevermind but you can't stack the box, and if you blitze, you'd better damn well...
Nevermind. I'm into the weeds here.
I await further moves by John Dorsey, but for now, both the run defense and passrush have been upgraded significantly.
This getting rid of Ogbah mania is irrational. I guess pundits ass ume that since John Dorsey didn't personally draft him, he is compelled to get rid of him.
(Never ASSUME, because you might make an ass of Y O U R S E L F.)
Ogbah is quality depth at a dirt-cheap price...so let's get a 5th round pick for him?
Wow...
Say...Dorsey didn't draft Njoku, Bitonio, Tretter, Schobert, etc either, so let's trade them too, right?
You peo
Honestly, I agree with about 12.5% of what he said, considering Baker Mayfield's taunting and insulting Hue Jackson, and the immaturity of OBJ, but the rest is delusional crap.
Freddie Kitchens is a "puppet" now? Wow, that's Olympic-caliber conclusion-leaping there!
Colon just makes stuff up! He needs to get back on his meds! I remember the guy saying how all the Browns' interest in (the "undraftable") Mayfield ahead of the draft was faked, since obviously they wanted Sam Drnold instead.
I think the guy can't stand being proven wrong, either:
First, Dorsey goes ahead and drafts Mayfield. In Colon's expert opinion, that was crazy.
Second, Mayfield sets a bunch of rookie quarterback records in only 13 1/2 games. Colon has it all over his face, but instead of just admitting it, he changes his angle and attacks something else.
And this "puppet" stuff! Well, Kitchens went from running game coordinator to offensive coordinator to Head Coach in half a season, so in Colon's alleged mind, the only possible reason is because Dorsey wants somebody he can push around!
How does that work? Dorsey dictates the game plans, or just who starts? Did Dorsey use three tight ends and the Wishbone? Must have been Dorsey, right?
It couldn't possibly be that Freddie Kitchens is just that good!
This is how blockheads think:
You have to "pay your dues" and work your way up the ladder. This is the only way.
A quarterback has to be 6'2" or taller, with a squeaky-clean record, and gentlemanly on the field decorum at all times.
You can't sign a Kareem Hunt, no matter how cheap he is. Let somebody else sign him. Like the Steelers or Ravens.
You can't trade for an OBJ for any price, no matter what.
If Colon Cowherd were a GM, John Dorsey would want him in the AFC North.
I do have some concerns about stupid twitter-wars and childish sideline displays, but to listen to Colon, the Browns will be an asylum.
Well I guess extremism gets audience, so Colon is just the guy who hits 50 homers and strikes out 125 times, ya no?
In case you haven't seen it yet, this fan's hype video is really well-done!
Bucky Brooks says that the Cleveland Browns are following the same blueprint that the Eagles and Rams used: surrounding a rookie Quarterback with as much talent as possible as quickly as possible (while they can afford it).
It got the Eagles a Lombardi Trophy. The Rams didn't make it (due to some horrific officiating), but were a dominating team.
I read an earlier "You can't buy a championship" article (yawn) warning John Dorsey and stuff. The Redskins (with RG3) were one of the teams cited.
This article was stupid. The Redskins coughed up THREE first round draft picks and a second-rounder to move up to #2 overall and draft Rg3.
The Skins had to hit free agency hard. RG3 had a great rookie season, then got injured, then crapped out.
There is no similarity to the current Browns situation whatsoever. Mayfield isn't a rookie, the core of the team was here even before Dorsey arrived, and the Browns still have most of their draft picks.
And anyway, the Redskins failed because of that idiotic trade.
Speaking of trades, Kyle Kelly lists four potential suitors for Duke Johnson, and they all make a ton of sense. I strongly suspect that Kyle nailed it. I'd be very surprised if all four of the teams he listed (Falcons/Jags/Eagles/Colts) haven't all been talking to Dorsey about Duke.
Kyle misses Duke's ability to line up at wide receiver and catch passes (he kept saying "out of the backfield"), and that's one of Duke's strongest selling-points.
There are no doubt several other teams that will be sniffing around because of it. Duke is a bargain at his current salary, and teams lacking WR depth will see that he never drops a pass.
The Browns have Nick Chubb now, and are eyeball-deep in wide receivers, but on some weaker rosters, Duke Johnson might play on over 50 snaps a game (not as the "bell-cow", but as the swiss army knife).
Duke has real value. John Dorsey is waiting for some other GM to admit it, and pay up (at least a third rounder. Or a defensive player.)
I hate to redundationalize yet again here, but Rodney Hilliardfield proved a lot as a rookie in preseason, outperforming his scouting reports by catching passes and being more elusive than advertized.
He was unmistakably tested in Duke Johnson's role, and unmistakably passed that test. But of course, he was a rookie, and Duke is Duke, so he was rarely used (except on special teams) during the regular season.
For the Memorex Morons, he fell off the edge of the Earth (right behind Austin Corbett).
But actually, Hilliard should return in 2019 at around 210 lbs, and should progress as a blocker and receiver in his inevitable sophomore leap.
While Hilliard can't do what Nick Chubb does, big one-cut running backs are far from rare, and Dorsey won't sweat Duke's absence.
As for Kareem Hunt, John Dorsey will probably try to extend his contract through 2020 before he takes the field in game 9 2019.
At first glance, this looks unlikely (unless Dorsey overpays), but the fact that Nick Chubb is the top dog here means that Hunt might not play much.
Hunt could enter free agency with a lot less leverage than he expects to have. That video made him "untouchable" for some teams, and will haunt him in every negotiation for the balance of his carreer.
And of course, there would be more to this new contract:
1: Dorsey makes it clear to the player and his agent that he plans to trade Hunt. He is offering more money than Hunt is likeley to get on the open market, and can guarantee that whoever trades for him will make him their bellcow.
2: If Hunt signs the extention, he will get paid moe munnah right NOW.
3: If Hunt signs the extention, Dorsey will ask Freddie Kitchens to use him more, so he can "show-case" himself for other teams (SHHH! Don't tell Colon!!!)
Hunt's agent will know that the trade-price for any team trading for Hunt would be high enough that that team would want to lock the player up for awhile, so he can bring his gun, ski-mask, and Brinks truck.
Dorsey will try this, anyway, but might get turned down. Anyway I still can't get through to him for some reason so one of you guys tell him to do this ok?
But for 2019? Ohhh man are you kidding me?!?
Nick Chubb gets a boo-boo? Who cares?
And it's Freddie Kitchens! My God he'll have OBJ, Landry, Njoku, Chubb and Hunt (not to mention Callaway) all at the same time! With Baker Mayfield under center, it could get all historical up in here!!!
I'm a geezer, so I remember Mack and Byner.
Marty ran a 2-back, and Earnest Byner was often Kevin Mack's lead-blocker. That says a lot about Byner, because he was under 210 lbs and Mack was over 230 (and faster too).
Byner was also a prolific receiver out of the backfield in Lindy Infante's "long hand-off" (read 3-yard dump-pass) offense.
If Haley were still here...nevermind. But with Freddie Kitchens? Freddie WILL use both these guys, and it can be even deadlier in today's NFL.
BOTH running backs are up near 230 lbs, and are accomplished receivers (Kevin Mack rarely caught pass). Beyond that, both can (at least) line up in the slot as well (Byner never did).
After game 8 in 2019, Freddie Kitchens can open up a can of whupass such as the NFL has never seen (mainly because Freddie Kitchens is in charge now. MOST Head Coaches would have either Chubb or Hunt on the bench on every down).
Hunt/Chubb is unsustainable, but they have an 8-game window with two top-five running backs.
With Baker Mayfield at Quarterback, how do you stop this? The Cliff Notes answer is, you can't.
The 2019 Browns should easily be at least 5-3 through the first 8 games. At that point, Kareem Hunt comes back on-line, and (again due to Kitchens and Mayfield) they can plow every defense in the NFL under.
Do you get this? Chubb/Hunt/Njoku DEMAND a base 3-4 or 4-3. That's four defensive backs to cover Landry, OBJ, and Njoku (nobody will try a linebacker anymore).
Here goes Hunt to the slot...good luck with that! And now your "big" people are...nevermind but you can't stack the box, and if you blitze, you'd better damn well...
Nevermind. I'm into the weeds here.
I await further moves by John Dorsey, but for now, both the run defense and passrush have been upgraded significantly.
This getting rid of Ogbah mania is irrational. I guess pundits ass ume that since John Dorsey didn't personally draft him, he is compelled to get rid of him.
(Never ASSUME, because you might make an ass of Y O U R S E L F.)
Ogbah is quality depth at a dirt-cheap price...so let's get a 5th round pick for him?
Wow...
Say...Dorsey didn't draft Njoku, Bitonio, Tretter, Schobert, etc either, so let's trade them too, right?
You peo
Friday, March 15, 2019
2019 Browns are Superbowl Contenders. DEAL with it!
Many fans are uninterested in John Dorsey's recent signings of free agent offensive linemen Eric Kush and Kendall Lamm, but they're actually very important.
Kush is the inside utility guy who will replace new starter Austin Corbett on the depth chart, and Kendall Lamm will challenge incumbent Right Tackle Chris Hubbard directly.
Both Kush and Lamm have considerable experience as starters (*in KC and Houston--two prolific offenses*).
I looked these two (and Hubbard) up on PFF, and was kind of shocked at the clear pattern I found: All three are well above average (above 72) in pass protection, and below average (mid to high 40's) as run-blockers.
This is analytics too. Run-blocking is easy for offensive linemen. Pass protection is not. There are tons of great run-blocking offensive linemen, but not many who excel in pass-protection.
DePodesta and/or Dorsey have found a niche to exploit (Dorsey might have been doing it before coming here--I don't know):
Kush and Lamm were available and cheap partly because they're mediocre run-blockers, but in a passing league, pass protection is more important...right?
I'm not sure how the PFF and Numberfire geeks grade run-blocking, either. I do know that they have their work cut out for them; it's really impossible to "turn into numbers", and I take it with a grain of salt my own self.
No--stay with me here: How do you grade run-blocking? Measuring how far you push a guy back isn't valid for a zone scheme. Counting how many times the last guy you blocked made a tackle might work, except that if that tackle is 5 yards downfield, well?
Pass protection grades are pretty reliable, and these guys know who to "blame" for what (ie the ignorant masses blame the tackle when the guard fails to pick up the guy the tackle releases, but they blame the guard, for example).
In 2018, every Browns' starting offensive lineman was better in pass protection than as run blockers, but the various running backs averaged (at least) 4.8 YPC on runs.
...anyway delete Offensive Line off your "needs" list (and ignore the Memorex Morons).
The MM's are also telling you about an urgent need at OLB, but if you read this Blog, you are aware that Rodney Averyfield is already here, and that Dorsey just signed another (cheaper) Chris Kirksey who can match his mediocrity...
Sorry I went off on a tangent there, but Dorsey will look to upgrade WIL first, and has Kirksey on the block as we speak.
Okay so now we know that Kareem Hunt will be available as of game nine.
Those of you who read this Blog know that MKC and company are fulla beans as to how this effects Duke Johnson's trade status.
Even Waitingtilnextyear texted that this means Dorsey will keep Duke til after then.
Nah! Everybody is dismissing 2018 UDFA Rodney Hilliardfield, who can do most of what Duke does already.
Also, in 2018 when Kitchens took over the offense, he used Duke even less than Dorsey had.
Also, the addition of OBJ puts Landry back in the slot more, and (trust me) Nick Chubb will go to the slot in his second season as well.
Duke is on the block NOW, but Dorsey will not be screwed, and will roll with Duke if nobody pays up for him.
Ditto Ogbah: You think John Dorsey wants to get rid of Ogbah now? Why?
Ogbah played hurt, and often inside last season under Gregg Williams, who (*pay careful attention here:) is a different Defensive Coordinator.
Ogbah is dirt-cheap, too, so why on Earth would John Dorsey be aggressively trying to get rid of him? OR DUKE?
I have to show you this in defense of OBJ the human being. It's mostly a human interest piece, but it describes a guy with a good heart.
My readers get this: I called OBJ an immature clown and stuff, but never called him an asshole.
OBJ comes to a more stable situation here in Cleveland, where he
1: Rejoins his best freind in college, Jarvis Landry.
2: Along with Landry, reunites with their position coach in college: Adam Henry
3: Baker Mayfield was an OBJ lobbyist himself, and went out of his way to meet OBJ in the offseason in person.
3a: Mayfield is an "Alpha Dog". He won't tolerate a Diva, and the coaches have his back.
4: Freddie Kitchens turned out to be an Alpha Dog himself.
I'm almost positive that OBJ won't be a (big) problem, or be (too) disruptive/distracting.
And while most of the pundits (and you people) have been mindlessly chanting for a a Gordon/Moss/Green/Jones can't-miss skyscraper (official "X"), I've been telling you that the better quarterbacks don't need guys like that.
I'm all-in with OBJ for what Dorsey paid for him. Baker Mayfield has Eli Manning's arm, is more accurate, and can run around and throw off-platform (on the run--to his left or his right).
Kitchens/Monken don't lean on any individual skill player in the first place, and Baker Mayield is like Rodgers, Wilson, Kurt Warner, Joe Montana, Marino, and (sadly) Big Ben.
The really elite quarterbacks will never lean on any given receiver. They universally hit whoever is open, deepest, and asap.
Baker Mayfield IS an elite NFL QB already...and now he gets OBJ!?!
We're talking "Greatest Show on Turf" stuff in 2019 here!
...not exactly: This offense features more "smashmouth", but you can see the writing on this wall...right?
Like most of you, I'm stunned that the Browns are now the consensus favorites to win the AFC North in 2019.
USA Today documents the amazing job John Dorsey has done so far, and it's spectacular.
I offer this link because the writer was thorough and objective. In fact, this guy pointed out some Sashi Brown screw-ups that I had overlooked.
But you people need to remember Myles Garrett, Ogunjobi, Schobert, Zeitler, Tretter, and several other guys that John Dorsey ineritted, along with his bounty of draft picks and cap money.
John Dorsey is "maxing out" on his inheritance from Rodney Brownfield and Rodney DePodestafield, but is probably all-in on DePodesta.
...And Jimmy Haslam, like Art Modell, was probably never the micromanager he's accused of being (see earlier posts. THINK. T H I N K.)
JFC you're lynching Jimmy Haslam (already) like you lynched Art Modell (and Bill Belichick) already...again!?!
...but yes: John Dorsey is all that (even if you can't give Haslam credit for hiring him because you're a permabasher or otherwise mentally ill).
The 2019 Browns are Superbowl contenders.
DEAL with it
Kush is the inside utility guy who will replace new starter Austin Corbett on the depth chart, and Kendall Lamm will challenge incumbent Right Tackle Chris Hubbard directly.
Both Kush and Lamm have considerable experience as starters (*in KC and Houston--two prolific offenses*).
I looked these two (and Hubbard) up on PFF, and was kind of shocked at the clear pattern I found: All three are well above average (above 72) in pass protection, and below average (mid to high 40's) as run-blockers.
This is analytics too. Run-blocking is easy for offensive linemen. Pass protection is not. There are tons of great run-blocking offensive linemen, but not many who excel in pass-protection.
DePodesta and/or Dorsey have found a niche to exploit (Dorsey might have been doing it before coming here--I don't know):
Kush and Lamm were available and cheap partly because they're mediocre run-blockers, but in a passing league, pass protection is more important...right?
I'm not sure how the PFF and Numberfire geeks grade run-blocking, either. I do know that they have their work cut out for them; it's really impossible to "turn into numbers", and I take it with a grain of salt my own self.
No--stay with me here: How do you grade run-blocking? Measuring how far you push a guy back isn't valid for a zone scheme. Counting how many times the last guy you blocked made a tackle might work, except that if that tackle is 5 yards downfield, well?
Pass protection grades are pretty reliable, and these guys know who to "blame" for what (ie the ignorant masses blame the tackle when the guard fails to pick up the guy the tackle releases, but they blame the guard, for example).
In 2018, every Browns' starting offensive lineman was better in pass protection than as run blockers, but the various running backs averaged (at least) 4.8 YPC on runs.
...anyway delete Offensive Line off your "needs" list (and ignore the Memorex Morons).
The MM's are also telling you about an urgent need at OLB, but if you read this Blog, you are aware that Rodney Averyfield is already here, and that Dorsey just signed another (cheaper) Chris Kirksey who can match his mediocrity...
Sorry I went off on a tangent there, but Dorsey will look to upgrade WIL first, and has Kirksey on the block as we speak.
Okay so now we know that Kareem Hunt will be available as of game nine.
Those of you who read this Blog know that MKC and company are fulla beans as to how this effects Duke Johnson's trade status.
Even Waitingtilnextyear texted that this means Dorsey will keep Duke til after then.
Nah! Everybody is dismissing 2018 UDFA Rodney Hilliardfield, who can do most of what Duke does already.
Also, in 2018 when Kitchens took over the offense, he used Duke even less than Dorsey had.
Also, the addition of OBJ puts Landry back in the slot more, and (trust me) Nick Chubb will go to the slot in his second season as well.
Duke is on the block NOW, but Dorsey will not be screwed, and will roll with Duke if nobody pays up for him.
Ditto Ogbah: You think John Dorsey wants to get rid of Ogbah now? Why?
Ogbah played hurt, and often inside last season under Gregg Williams, who (*pay careful attention here:) is a different Defensive Coordinator.
Ogbah is dirt-cheap, too, so why on Earth would John Dorsey be aggressively trying to get rid of him? OR DUKE?
I have to show you this in defense of OBJ the human being. It's mostly a human interest piece, but it describes a guy with a good heart.
My readers get this: I called OBJ an immature clown and stuff, but never called him an asshole.
OBJ comes to a more stable situation here in Cleveland, where he
1: Rejoins his best freind in college, Jarvis Landry.
2: Along with Landry, reunites with their position coach in college: Adam Henry
3: Baker Mayfield was an OBJ lobbyist himself, and went out of his way to meet OBJ in the offseason in person.
3a: Mayfield is an "Alpha Dog". He won't tolerate a Diva, and the coaches have his back.
4: Freddie Kitchens turned out to be an Alpha Dog himself.
I'm almost positive that OBJ won't be a (big) problem, or be (too) disruptive/distracting.
And while most of the pundits (and you people) have been mindlessly chanting for a a Gordon/Moss/Green/Jones can't-miss skyscraper (official "X"), I've been telling you that the better quarterbacks don't need guys like that.
I'm all-in with OBJ for what Dorsey paid for him. Baker Mayfield has Eli Manning's arm, is more accurate, and can run around and throw off-platform (on the run--to his left or his right).
Kitchens/Monken don't lean on any individual skill player in the first place, and Baker Mayield is like Rodgers, Wilson, Kurt Warner, Joe Montana, Marino, and (sadly) Big Ben.
The really elite quarterbacks will never lean on any given receiver. They universally hit whoever is open, deepest, and asap.
Baker Mayfield IS an elite NFL QB already...and now he gets OBJ!?!
We're talking "Greatest Show on Turf" stuff in 2019 here!
...not exactly: This offense features more "smashmouth", but you can see the writing on this wall...right?
Like most of you, I'm stunned that the Browns are now the consensus favorites to win the AFC North in 2019.
USA Today documents the amazing job John Dorsey has done so far, and it's spectacular.
I offer this link because the writer was thorough and objective. In fact, this guy pointed out some Sashi Brown screw-ups that I had overlooked.
But you people need to remember Myles Garrett, Ogunjobi, Schobert, Zeitler, Tretter, and several other guys that John Dorsey ineritted, along with his bounty of draft picks and cap money.
John Dorsey is "maxing out" on his inheritance from Rodney Brownfield and Rodney DePodestafield, but is probably all-in on DePodesta.
...And Jimmy Haslam, like Art Modell, was probably never the micromanager he's accused of being (see earlier posts. THINK. T H I N K.)
JFC you're lynching Jimmy Haslam (already) like you lynched Art Modell (and Bill Belichick) already...again!?!
...but yes: John Dorsey is all that (even if you can't give Haslam credit for hiring him because you're a permabasher or otherwise mentally ill).
The 2019 Browns are Superbowl contenders.
DEAL with it
Wednesday, March 13, 2019
John Dorsey is Amazing. Cleveland Browns Might be the Most Talented Team in the AFC Already.
I know what you're all thinking: "What does HE think of the new players?"
Well, per PFF, Adarius Taylor is even worse than Christian Kirksey. Both players rank below 45 overall, and against the pass, and the run. That's why John Dorsey was able to sign Taylor for peanuts.
Taylor can play any linebacker position, and may be good on special teams...move along, nothing to see here. Cheap veteran depth.
Demetrius Thomas is very similar to Darren Fells, except much younger, and I assume cheaper. Dorsey may have had him in the bag when he released Fells.
Thomas excels on special teams, playing on every unit, so he does represent an upgrade there, as Taylor is a depth upgrade.
I already addressed the two defensive linemen, each of which rank in the top third of players at their respective positions overall and as passrushers.
These two are obviously significant upgrades. That's why even before OBJ was secured, we were feeling dangerous around here.
But some of you people need to back it up on this "urgent need" at safety that losing Peppers creates.
Steve Wilks will lean heavily to off-man and zone coverages (often 3-deep) at least between the edges. While Rodney Kindredfield's 2018 PFF grades were much lower than they were in 2017, in 2017 he was playing the hybrid linebacker/strong safety role in the Williams defense, while Peppers was at free.
Kindred was one of the better "safeties" in the NFL in 2017, especially vs the run.
Steve Wilks is a DB coach first, and (screw the "labels"), will have no problem putting Kindred in places where he can succeed.
Having said that, Dorsey does need another safety, and sure: he could find somebody better in coverage than Kindred.
Hmm...the Chiefs just released Eric Berry.
Berry is a geezer (30) and has been injured the last couple seasons. He should be fine off his achilles injury, but in 2018 it was bone spurs, and he refused surgery.
All of this will drive his price down; no team can afford to pay him like the player he was prior to these injuries, bet on his skills not having diminished (sound familiar?), or even count on him in general.
All of this is music to John Dorsey's ears. He can ruthlessly exploit Berry's lack of leverage and sign him dirt cheap.
Maybe Berry returns 100%, and can stay healthy. If so, Wilks would be in heaven. Maybe he's not as good as he was three years ago, and/or misses more time. Still, he was so good before that, he could certainly help in 2019, even in a part-time role.
Berry is really a Free (not strong) safety, so at the very least he could back up Damarius Randall. But he's also good as a cover two safety, and Wilks would have no problem using the both of them, if Berry comes out near his cieling.
Dan Justik lists his version of the Browns remaining needs in the wake of the OBJ blockbuster, and it was pretty sharp:
From lowest to highest, Dan says Offensive Line Depth, Cornerback, Linebacker, and Safety.
With Corbett stepping up to replace Zeitler, Dan is right about Offensive Line depth. Dan is one of the few analysts smart enough to acknowlege the existance of Rodney Harrisonfield at Tackle, but for the moment, there's no "utility" guy.
If one of the inside three guys bites the dust, that's a problem as it is.
You do need that "utility" guy. If you don't have him, you have to move your starting guard to center, because your top interior backup can't play center, for example, and you blow all the communication and chemistry to hell by switching two positions to replace one injured player.
Cornerback, I'm not so sure about, but Dan makes a good case. Mitchell got hurt, and so did everybody else, and TJ Gaines looks like a GMF.
However Boddy-Calhoun, and TJ Carrie should prosper under Wilks, as their skill-sets fit his scheme.
But you can never have enough corners, so I can't call Dan a dumbass for this.
He's right about linebacker, too, but for the wrong reasons: Based on his rookie season, Dan has decided that, despite his exceptional speed, quickness, and agility, that Genard Avery is not a real linebacker, and a permanent "liability" in coverage.
Dan is wrong about this. First, Avery was a rookie, and, much like pass-protection and pass-catching is commonly "taught" to unpolished rookie running backs in the NFL, coverage is taught to fast, quick, agile but unpolished linebackers.
Dan shouldn't assume that Genard Avery won't improve in year two. In fact, he should assume the contrary.
Second, Wilks probably won't have linebackers trying to man-cover tight ends or running backs anyway.
The Steelers used to "drop" a slower, less agile James Harrison to a spot, where he would "plug up" several routes, and could react to the ball in the air...
I've addressed this before. Suffice it to say that Genard Avery will be a starting linebacker in 2019, and not a "designated edge-rusher".
It's actually Christian Kirksey who needs to be replaced.
Joe Schobert, who LED THE NFL IN MISSED TACKLES, was also one of the best coverage linebackers in the NFL in 2018, so Dan can say what he wants about...
Nevermind if I get started on that I can't stop, and will put you in a coma. Suffice it to say that Schobert excels in coverage, Avery will be fine in zone, and the SYSTEM MATTERS DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
But hell yes Jordan Hicks or even one of those 30 year old stud linebackers would come in mighty handy for what is now unmistakeably a Superbowl attempt by John Dorsey.
The bar is raised now, so Dan is right about a "need" at safety too, despite the fact that Derrick Kindred is being massively underrated.
And yeah, that's correct: Despite what John Dorsey said earlier ("We're not there yet"), he has obviously decided that the Browns are "there", right tf now.
As you guys know, I've been all but dismissing these OBJ trade rumors, but that was because I thought it would cost too much for this hugely talented flake.
But 17 overall, a third round pick, and Peppers was NOT too much to pay. In fact, for thefew one of us who thinks Derrick Kindred is pretty good, John Dorsey hit a home run.
But this trade looks even better, the deeper you look:
Beckham fits the KitchensMonken scheme perfectly. He fits Baker Mayfield perfectly, too (better than a skyscraper "go-doo" receiver the majority of you people thought Mayfield "needed").
He reunites with Jarvis Landry, who is an "alpha dog" who might just be able to keep OBJ's head out of his ass.
Current Browns Wide Receiver Coach Adam Henry coached Beckham and Landry for two years in college in the same role.
We can hope that the change of scenery, these factors, and simply growing a year older will help OBJ perform a successful head-extraction, but even if that operation is unsuccessful, he's still one of the most lethal weapons in the NFL.
Note: Ebineezer Bell is signing with the Jets for less than the Steelers offered him two years ago. Congratulations, Ebineezer! I can't wait to see you discover that your offensive line makes a difference! (Not bad for the Jets, though. They didn't overpay too much.)
But I digress: As everybody both locally and nationally has been saying (except no doubt Pat Kirwan and our home-grown permabashers), the Cleveland Browns are now the consensus favorites to (at least) win the AFC North.
...W O W.
But ok: Baker Mayfield, as a ROOKIE, did what he did last season.
NOW, he has OBJ in addition to Callaway, Landry, Njoku (Higgins etc) and (so far) Duke.
Look back to Nick Chubb's rookie season in college (and last four games of his NFL rookie season) and you will comprehend why I compare him to Todd Gurley.
Add to that the EXTANT Defensive Line upgrades (rendering it at least in the top 7 in the NFL), John Dorsey not being "done" in free agency yet, and how well he drafts--oh hell yes be unafraid. Be very unafraid!
Dorsey doesn't have 17 overall now, but has his mid-second and (I think) mid third-round pick (I think he traded the "Shelton" pick).
...anyway, regardless of what further havoc John Dorsey can be counted on to wreak in free agency, it's likely that he will add two new major 2019 contributors (unless one of the two top picks is an offensive lineman).
Anyway, the rest of the AFC North is already in trouble. Amazing work by John Dorsey and (ahem): Paul DePodesta🖕.
DEAL with it!
Well, per PFF, Adarius Taylor is even worse than Christian Kirksey. Both players rank below 45 overall, and against the pass, and the run. That's why John Dorsey was able to sign Taylor for peanuts.
Taylor can play any linebacker position, and may be good on special teams...move along, nothing to see here. Cheap veteran depth.
Demetrius Thomas is very similar to Darren Fells, except much younger, and I assume cheaper. Dorsey may have had him in the bag when he released Fells.
Thomas excels on special teams, playing on every unit, so he does represent an upgrade there, as Taylor is a depth upgrade.
I already addressed the two defensive linemen, each of which rank in the top third of players at their respective positions overall and as passrushers.
These two are obviously significant upgrades. That's why even before OBJ was secured, we were feeling dangerous around here.
But some of you people need to back it up on this "urgent need" at safety that losing Peppers creates.
Steve Wilks will lean heavily to off-man and zone coverages (often 3-deep) at least between the edges. While Rodney Kindredfield's 2018 PFF grades were much lower than they were in 2017, in 2017 he was playing the hybrid linebacker/strong safety role in the Williams defense, while Peppers was at free.
Kindred was one of the better "safeties" in the NFL in 2017, especially vs the run.
Steve Wilks is a DB coach first, and (screw the "labels"), will have no problem putting Kindred in places where he can succeed.
Having said that, Dorsey does need another safety, and sure: he could find somebody better in coverage than Kindred.
Hmm...the Chiefs just released Eric Berry.
Berry is a geezer (30) and has been injured the last couple seasons. He should be fine off his achilles injury, but in 2018 it was bone spurs, and he refused surgery.
All of this will drive his price down; no team can afford to pay him like the player he was prior to these injuries, bet on his skills not having diminished (sound familiar?), or even count on him in general.
All of this is music to John Dorsey's ears. He can ruthlessly exploit Berry's lack of leverage and sign him dirt cheap.
Maybe Berry returns 100%, and can stay healthy. If so, Wilks would be in heaven. Maybe he's not as good as he was three years ago, and/or misses more time. Still, he was so good before that, he could certainly help in 2019, even in a part-time role.
Berry is really a Free (not strong) safety, so at the very least he could back up Damarius Randall. But he's also good as a cover two safety, and Wilks would have no problem using the both of them, if Berry comes out near his cieling.
Dan Justik lists his version of the Browns remaining needs in the wake of the OBJ blockbuster, and it was pretty sharp:
From lowest to highest, Dan says Offensive Line Depth, Cornerback, Linebacker, and Safety.
With Corbett stepping up to replace Zeitler, Dan is right about Offensive Line depth. Dan is one of the few analysts smart enough to acknowlege the existance of Rodney Harrisonfield at Tackle, but for the moment, there's no "utility" guy.
If one of the inside three guys bites the dust, that's a problem as it is.
You do need that "utility" guy. If you don't have him, you have to move your starting guard to center, because your top interior backup can't play center, for example, and you blow all the communication and chemistry to hell by switching two positions to replace one injured player.
Cornerback, I'm not so sure about, but Dan makes a good case. Mitchell got hurt, and so did everybody else, and TJ Gaines looks like a GMF.
However Boddy-Calhoun, and TJ Carrie should prosper under Wilks, as their skill-sets fit his scheme.
But you can never have enough corners, so I can't call Dan a dumbass for this.
He's right about linebacker, too, but for the wrong reasons: Based on his rookie season, Dan has decided that, despite his exceptional speed, quickness, and agility, that Genard Avery is not a real linebacker, and a permanent "liability" in coverage.
Dan is wrong about this. First, Avery was a rookie, and, much like pass-protection and pass-catching is commonly "taught" to unpolished rookie running backs in the NFL, coverage is taught to fast, quick, agile but unpolished linebackers.
Dan shouldn't assume that Genard Avery won't improve in year two. In fact, he should assume the contrary.
Second, Wilks probably won't have linebackers trying to man-cover tight ends or running backs anyway.
The Steelers used to "drop" a slower, less agile James Harrison to a spot, where he would "plug up" several routes, and could react to the ball in the air...
I've addressed this before. Suffice it to say that Genard Avery will be a starting linebacker in 2019, and not a "designated edge-rusher".
It's actually Christian Kirksey who needs to be replaced.
Joe Schobert, who LED THE NFL IN MISSED TACKLES, was also one of the best coverage linebackers in the NFL in 2018, so Dan can say what he wants about...
Nevermind if I get started on that I can't stop, and will put you in a coma. Suffice it to say that Schobert excels in coverage, Avery will be fine in zone, and the SYSTEM MATTERS DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
But hell yes Jordan Hicks or even one of those 30 year old stud linebackers would come in mighty handy for what is now unmistakeably a Superbowl attempt by John Dorsey.
The bar is raised now, so Dan is right about a "need" at safety too, despite the fact that Derrick Kindred is being massively underrated.
And yeah, that's correct: Despite what John Dorsey said earlier ("We're not there yet"), he has obviously decided that the Browns are "there", right tf now.
As you guys know, I've been all but dismissing these OBJ trade rumors, but that was because I thought it would cost too much for this hugely talented flake.
But 17 overall, a third round pick, and Peppers was NOT too much to pay. In fact, for the
But this trade looks even better, the deeper you look:
Beckham fits the KitchensMonken scheme perfectly. He fits Baker Mayfield perfectly, too (better than a skyscraper "go-doo" receiver the majority of you people thought Mayfield "needed").
He reunites with Jarvis Landry, who is an "alpha dog" who might just be able to keep OBJ's head out of his ass.
Current Browns Wide Receiver Coach Adam Henry coached Beckham and Landry for two years in college in the same role.
We can hope that the change of scenery, these factors, and simply growing a year older will help OBJ perform a successful head-extraction, but even if that operation is unsuccessful, he's still one of the most lethal weapons in the NFL.
Note: Ebineezer Bell is signing with the Jets for less than the Steelers offered him two years ago. Congratulations, Ebineezer! I can't wait to see you discover that your offensive line makes a difference! (Not bad for the Jets, though. They didn't overpay too much.)
But I digress: As everybody both locally and nationally has been saying (except no doubt Pat Kirwan and our home-grown permabashers), the Cleveland Browns are now the consensus favorites to (at least) win the AFC North.
...W O W.
But ok: Baker Mayfield, as a ROOKIE, did what he did last season.
NOW, he has OBJ in addition to Callaway, Landry, Njoku (Higgins etc) and (so far) Duke.
Look back to Nick Chubb's rookie season in college (and last four games of his NFL rookie season) and you will comprehend why I compare him to Todd Gurley.
Add to that the EXTANT Defensive Line upgrades (rendering it at least in the top 7 in the NFL), John Dorsey not being "done" in free agency yet, and how well he drafts--oh hell yes be unafraid. Be very unafraid!
Dorsey doesn't have 17 overall now, but has his mid-second and (I think) mid third-round pick (I think he traded the "Shelton" pick).
...anyway, regardless of what further havoc John Dorsey can be counted on to wreak in free agency, it's likely that he will add two new major 2019 contributors (unless one of the two top picks is an offensive lineman).
Anyway, the rest of the AFC North is already in trouble. Amazing work by John Dorsey and (ahem): Paul DePodesta🖕.
DEAL with it!
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