The guys on Myles Garrett Radio are (rightfully) outraged at Myles Garrett bashing Rudolph on the head with his helmet. This might just be the ugliest thing I have ever seen in football.
Obviously, Garrett lost his damn mind, but there's no excuse for this, and the least he can expect is to be suspended for the rest of the season and fined out the yinyang.
Anger management counseling too, of course.
I can't defend Myles Garrett. He's a very smart guy, and can't plead dumbassitude or growing up in a war zone or whatever. He was fine until he reached over Rudolph's defenders with that potentially deadly weapon.
But Mason Rudolph: Look up "cowardly" in a dictionary, ok? Words mean things.
Bush league? Absolutely. Vicious and just plain wrong too.
However, as usual the talking heads are piling on. This is what Witch-hunters and lynch mobs do.
Some compare Garrett to psychopath Vontez Burfict, and say he should be banned from the NFL for life.
Take a pill! Burfict is a serial offender (like Steelers Head Enabler Mike Tomlin's James Harrison was for several years). Garrett has no pattern of psychopathic behavior; this amounts to a first offense in the third year of his NFL carreer.
Others (like Bob Poppa) harp on the Browns being the most penalized team in the NFL, with the most ejections, and blame Freddie Kitchens for this lack of discipline.
Well, since the bye week, this young team improved dramaticly for most of 3 games, which Poppa ignores.
As for leading the league in ejections, yeah NOW they do, after Damarius Randall was (rightfully) ejected for his deliberate helmet-to-helmet hit on Smith-Schuster, and then so was Garrett, and...Ogunjobi?
Prior to the Steelers game, was there more than one ejection?
No, Bob Poppa, this isn't something else to bash Freddie Kitchens for. I get it:
We're pack-hunters, and instinctively go after anything injured, but Poppa, Haley et al are getting just plain silly as they try to use this incident to pile more bullshit on a beleagured Head Coach who just beat the Steelers.
Freddie Kitchens is not Mike Tomlin, and there is zero evidence that he enables or encourages cheap shots or...well the Garrett incident is different...
And there are mitigating circumstances, like Rudolph chasing after Garrett and trying to pull his helmet off first; at this point Garrett was under attack by 3 Steelers.
By the way, while the rules mandate punishment, I can't blame Clowney for going apeshit on Garrett there. Imagine if somebody had clubbed Mayfield in the head with his helmet.
Still, you guys should check these opinions by former NFL players in re this incident. (No I mean it: Click that link!)
Anyway now the Garrettless (and maybe Randalless) Browns get to go to Heinz Field for the rematch 2 sundays from now oh goodie!
Well listen: The Cleveland Browns are the better team, and in a fair fight should beat the Steelers again in their own back yard.
But the referees...uh-oh!
They'll look like gunslingers at high noon with their hands hovering over their flags (and their whistles in their mouths).
It will be ok if they screw each team equally (I guess), but we know better, don't we? In Pittsburgh, the refs will favor the Steelers.
The crew that officiated this game was excellent and fair. They made a few mistakes, but they were honest mistakes.
But even this excellent, apparently not corrupt crew might engineer a Steelers victory in the rematch.
Thank you Damarius Randall and Myles Garrett!
The guys on Myles Garrett Radio repeatedly bemoaned the fact that all they were talking about was Myles Garrett (and Freddie Kitchens lack of control) instead of the fact that the Browns beat the Steelers convincingly.
But they DID, ok? Even moreso than they stomped the Ravens a few weeks ago.
Mayfield/Beckham clicked better than they did last week; that's finally coming together.
Chubb is a given, but Hunt delivered in the clutch a few times as well (in various ways).
The defense dominated in every phase, and Mayfield was efficient (trending up again).
The Steelers are the third team the Browns have played since the bye with a top 5 defense, and again their offense scored enough points to win...including a couple red zone tds this time.
Losing Garrett will hurt a lot, and they might lose Randall as well (that was a deliberate and flagrant cheap shot, homies. Deal with it).
But Olivier Vernon should be back, and the Steve Wilks's secondary is very flexible. He'll have to blitze more, but his blitzes so far (especially Mack Wilson) have been successful.
Takitaki showed up, and did a great job too (small sample size, but encouraging).
The Browns should beat the Dolphins at home, despite the fact that the Fins have been more competitive than expected in 2019.
The Chubb/Hunt backfield and Landry/OBJ core WR combo represent one of the scariest skill player cores in the NFL.
It baffles me that the talking heads remain substantially oblivious to Kareem Hunt, and seem to consider him a "sidekick" to Nick Chubb. I mean wow. Just...wow.
And Rodney Kitchensfield has everything to do with why this new offense which beat the Bills and the Steelers DO YOU U N D E R S T A N D?
That's right: I am officially back on the Freddie Kitchens train (ie on his side).
SINCE THE BYE WEEK and UNTIL THE STEELERS GAME penalties and screwups went way down, and Freddie (not Monken imo) integrated Kareem Hunt masterfully.
See this shotgun? I know a lot of you folks. This man deserves a fair trial. You need to go home and sober up, and let justice take it's course. He is innocent until proven guilty, and I will defend him with that in mind.
I still think Freddie Kitchens might well earn an extention into 2020.
Anyway quit piling on him, like he told Randall to---good grief can't you separate the pre-bye games from the post-bye ones and see the differences? Can't you THINK?
Pre-bye, Freddie Kitchens looked horrible, but the Browns were significantly more disciplined and efficient since then (while opposing 3 top 5 defenses)---
It's INSANE to ignore this and blame Freddie for Garrett's melt-down omg you people are sick nevermind okbye.
Friday, November 15, 2019
Thursday, November 14, 2019
Browns Beat Steelers, but Played Dirty. An Embarrassing Win. Disgusting.
I'm tailgating in BWW waiting for the Browns-Steelers game with massive trepitation. I can see it's cold up there (I'm in South Carolina), but it doesn't look like weather will matter much (unless it's windy).
The national talking heads have all been repeating that the Browns can't stop the run, despite the fact that they showed marked improvement in that area vs Denver and Buffalo after coming back off the bye.
The season-long stats are all a lot of these guys look at, which is irksome to any trained analyst.
In reality, while there are still infuriating breakdowns, and the defense is currently only "okay" vs the run overall, it CAN and HAS stopped the run DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
They're also raving about Nick Chubb (rightfully so) and treating Kareem Hunt like a gimmicky bit-player.
Well the game has started...yep 2 stuffs and a throwaway who wooda thunked it?
...ok the game is over now and the Browns won 21-7.
I'm embararrassed by Damarius Randall, who was ejected for an obviously deliberate helmet-to-helmet dirty hit, and by Myles Garrett clubbing Kyle Rudolph in his head with his own helmet.
You people need to check your fandom at the door here, ok? My own peeps tried to tell me that Randall's helmet-to-helmet hit wasn't deliberate.
It was OBIOUSLY deliberate. Even more than I'm embarrassed by these dirty hits, I'm embarrassed by my own peeps sounding like Mike Tomlin trying to tell me that bullshit is okay.
It's fun to be a fan, I know, but you need to remember that this is a game, and to separate this from WAR. It is NOT okay to deliberately brain damage, cripple, or kill your opponent DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
Anyway this was a convincing win; the whole team looked ready for primetime.
...unfortunately, Myles Garrett is probably gone for the rest of the season, soo...
More to follow
The national talking heads have all been repeating that the Browns can't stop the run, despite the fact that they showed marked improvement in that area vs Denver and Buffalo after coming back off the bye.
The season-long stats are all a lot of these guys look at, which is irksome to any trained analyst.
In reality, while there are still infuriating breakdowns, and the defense is currently only "okay" vs the run overall, it CAN and HAS stopped the run DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
They're also raving about Nick Chubb (rightfully so) and treating Kareem Hunt like a gimmicky bit-player.
Well the game has started...yep 2 stuffs and a throwaway who wooda thunked it?
...ok the game is over now and the Browns won 21-7.
I'm embararrassed by Damarius Randall, who was ejected for an obviously deliberate helmet-to-helmet dirty hit, and by Myles Garrett clubbing Kyle Rudolph in his head with his own helmet.
You people need to check your fandom at the door here, ok? My own peeps tried to tell me that Randall's helmet-to-helmet hit wasn't deliberate.
It was OBIOUSLY deliberate. Even more than I'm embarrassed by these dirty hits, I'm embarrassed by my own peeps sounding like Mike Tomlin trying to tell me that bullshit is okay.
It's fun to be a fan, I know, but you need to remember that this is a game, and to separate this from WAR. It is NOT okay to deliberately brain damage, cripple, or kill your opponent DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
Anyway this was a convincing win; the whole team looked ready for primetime.
...unfortunately, Myles Garrett is probably gone for the rest of the season, soo...
More to follow
Tuesday, November 12, 2019
Browns Should Beat Steelers. I Guarantee this Possibility. Take it to the Bank. For sure Maybe.
Dan LaBartard thinks that the Cleveland Browns are a talented but dumb team. Joe Thomas and I "get" that, but Dan obviously hasn't seen much of the Denver or Bills games, as the Browns have cut way down on penalties.
That's called "sticking to a narrative".
Joe Thomas sees some bright spots and promise as I do (yep! Big Joe must read this blog too!)
Trent Dilfer and Dan Justik are no doubt also secret fans of this literal masterpiece, as they get into more (current) detail about what they think is wrong with the 2019 Freddie Kitchens scheme, but Film Room guy Ellis L Williams at least partially contradicts Freddie's many detractors.
Luckily, you guys have me to sort through and integrate all this, and tell you what to think and how to think it:
1: Dilfer and Justik are right about Play Action. The Browns used more of that (with the Hunt/Chubb combo) last week, but not enough.
To Dilfer, this is a no-brainer with this Quarterback and these personnel. The Browns can either hand off or fake on EVERY first down (assuming time isn't running out and they're not too far behind); that's like 29% of the time right there! Then, on second and 6 or less (including a couple inches):
If you add it all up, This team can either run or play-fake off the run at least 66% of the time, and Dilfer/Justik say they should (ps the RPO is play action, as Dilfer points out).
Kirk Cousins is tearing up the NFL this season. This is substantially because the majority of his passes are off play-action to the terrifying Dalvin Cook (and partly because Cook is one of his favorite targets too).
According to Trent and Dan, Freddie hasn't been exploiting this enough. Freddie (or Monken) is trying to outsmart enerybody.
2: Trent mentioned this and I will repeat myself again: Baker Mayfield is short, but can throw on the move. His offensive tackles aren't that good, and the 20 and 21 personnel they'll be running now won't help Robinson or Hubbard out as much as the two-tight end sets he used before Hunt and in 2018.
Why the hell isn't Freddie rolling Mayfield out? Why is Mayfield 90% in the pocket?
Jeez you guys don't see this stuff: The 2019 Browns zone block a lot, and that not only fits play-action perfectly, but also controlled rollouts! The defense is clueless about whether it's a pass or run (or whether Mayfield has the ball--he's a great "actor" too btw).
A "rolling pocket" really helps out athletically-overmatched (or outsmarted) offensive linemen...
3: All the same, as Ellis illustrates, Freddie did a great job of maxing out Kareem Hunt (again here's another of my secret fans blush-blush).
The "Mack/Byner" thing is just now beginning to start to dawn on OTMs (*Other Than Me's)...sigh read my last several posts:
Vs the Bills, Kareem Hunt was Earnest Byner, sorta:
Youngsters, Mack never lined up outside of the backfield, and I'm not sure if Byner even lined up in the slot.
As Ellis shows us, Kareem Hunt was all over the place, and in motion a lot as well. Even when he was just a decoy, he screwed up this top five NFL defense--and this is Freddie Kitchens who deserves all the credit for exploiting this weapon like he did, ok?
The Ravens' offense is (rightfully) called the biggest challenge for Defenses to figure out in 2019, but the Browns' offense could be kinda similar, if Freddie listens to Dilfer and me, and rolls out more and maxes out play-action:
Come ON, Freddie Kitchens! You're so close to having an offensive juggernaut like that!
How can you blitze with Chubb and Hunt back there? Who covers either of them in the slot or outside? (PS see Ellis's Film Room: Ellis says that how they lined up vs Hunt in the slot or outside exposed the Bills' coverage scheme to Mayfield presnap).
...Chubb has 2 years left on his contract. Dorsey has to try to re-sign Hunt long-term. He can secure the Chubb/Hunt offense for 2020; Hunt is a better swiss army knife than Ebineezer Bell, and---
Getting into the analytics weeds here nevermind anyway ok the Stoolers Thursday Night:
See last post the Rams Offensive Line was wiped out.
The Steelers ARE (disgustingly) formidable (especially on defense). I personally dislike Mike Tomlin (mostly because he endorses dirty players), but you can't argue with what he's accomplished.
...well not just him: GM Kevin Colbert spent his 2020 1st round draft pick to land DB Minkah Fitzpatrick, drafted---nevermind but he just kicked ass again like he always does dammit...
I expect the Browns to beat the Steelers (kinda):
1: NOBODY has stopped Nick Chubb.
2: Kareem Hunt is a BIG upgrade regardless of where he lines up or what he does.
3: HOPEFULLY Freddie Kitchens will stop outsmarting himself and lean hard on play-action, roll Baker out more, keep it up with the screens (another thing his detractors ignore)...
4: The Steelers' Offense is (dammit) still pretty good, substantially because their Offensive Line is one of the best in football (Big Who? Ebineezer Who? Antonio Who?)
But vs the Bills, the Browns' defense was respectable vs the run, and...well long story:
Mack Wilson blitzed (effectively) a lot, Takitaki played for once and did a fine job, but
5: I repeat (again): Kareem Hunt and the 2-back. This changes everything, ok?
If Freddie Kitchens maxes this out like I or Dilfer would the Steelers defense is on it's heels for most of the game.
Hunt, Chubb, OBJ, Landry the core skill-group what are you kidding me!?!
The Browns average over 5 yards per carry with this offensive line ok!?!
The Browns should stomp the Steelers, but...
Will Freddie Kitchens keep trying to outsmart everybody? Will he admit that he should run more, and (duh) run more play-action?
...Is Freddie Kitchens the idjut the lynch-mob says he is? Obviously, no--if you pay attention, and see how he jumped all over Kareem Hunt and the 20 and 21 sets and motions and lead blocks and---
Don't count Freddie Kitchens out just yet.
Just sayin
That's called "sticking to a narrative".
Joe Thomas sees some bright spots and promise as I do (yep! Big Joe must read this blog too!)
Trent Dilfer and Dan Justik are no doubt also secret fans of this literal masterpiece, as they get into more (current) detail about what they think is wrong with the 2019 Freddie Kitchens scheme, but Film Room guy Ellis L Williams at least partially contradicts Freddie's many detractors.
Luckily, you guys have me to sort through and integrate all this, and tell you what to think and how to think it:
1: Dilfer and Justik are right about Play Action. The Browns used more of that (with the Hunt/Chubb combo) last week, but not enough.
To Dilfer, this is a no-brainer with this Quarterback and these personnel. The Browns can either hand off or fake on EVERY first down (assuming time isn't running out and they're not too far behind); that's like 29% of the time right there! Then, on second and 6 or less (including a couple inches):
If you add it all up, This team can either run or play-fake off the run at least 66% of the time, and Dilfer/Justik say they should (ps the RPO is play action, as Dilfer points out).
Kirk Cousins is tearing up the NFL this season. This is substantially because the majority of his passes are off play-action to the terrifying Dalvin Cook (and partly because Cook is one of his favorite targets too).
According to Trent and Dan, Freddie hasn't been exploiting this enough. Freddie (or Monken) is trying to outsmart enerybody.
2: Trent mentioned this and I will repeat myself again: Baker Mayfield is short, but can throw on the move. His offensive tackles aren't that good, and the 20 and 21 personnel they'll be running now won't help Robinson or Hubbard out as much as the two-tight end sets he used before Hunt and in 2018.
Why the hell isn't Freddie rolling Mayfield out? Why is Mayfield 90% in the pocket?
Jeez you guys don't see this stuff: The 2019 Browns zone block a lot, and that not only fits play-action perfectly, but also controlled rollouts! The defense is clueless about whether it's a pass or run (or whether Mayfield has the ball--he's a great "actor" too btw).
A "rolling pocket" really helps out athletically-overmatched (or outsmarted) offensive linemen...
3: All the same, as Ellis illustrates, Freddie did a great job of maxing out Kareem Hunt (again here's another of my secret fans blush-blush).
The "Mack/Byner" thing is just now beginning to start to dawn on OTMs (*Other Than Me's)...sigh read my last several posts:
Vs the Bills, Kareem Hunt was Earnest Byner, sorta:
Youngsters, Mack never lined up outside of the backfield, and I'm not sure if Byner even lined up in the slot.
As Ellis shows us, Kareem Hunt was all over the place, and in motion a lot as well. Even when he was just a decoy, he screwed up this top five NFL defense--and this is Freddie Kitchens who deserves all the credit for exploiting this weapon like he did, ok?
The Ravens' offense is (rightfully) called the biggest challenge for Defenses to figure out in 2019, but the Browns' offense could be kinda similar, if Freddie listens to Dilfer and me, and rolls out more and maxes out play-action:
Come ON, Freddie Kitchens! You're so close to having an offensive juggernaut like that!
How can you blitze with Chubb and Hunt back there? Who covers either of them in the slot or outside? (PS see Ellis's Film Room: Ellis says that how they lined up vs Hunt in the slot or outside exposed the Bills' coverage scheme to Mayfield presnap).
...Chubb has 2 years left on his contract. Dorsey has to try to re-sign Hunt long-term. He can secure the Chubb/Hunt offense for 2020; Hunt is a better swiss army knife than Ebineezer Bell, and---
Getting into the analytics weeds here nevermind anyway ok the Stoolers Thursday Night:
See last post the Rams Offensive Line was wiped out.
The Steelers ARE (disgustingly) formidable (especially on defense). I personally dislike Mike Tomlin (mostly because he endorses dirty players), but you can't argue with what he's accomplished.
...well not just him: GM Kevin Colbert spent his 2020 1st round draft pick to land DB Minkah Fitzpatrick, drafted---nevermind but he just kicked ass again like he always does dammit...
I expect the Browns to beat the Steelers (kinda):
1: NOBODY has stopped Nick Chubb.
2: Kareem Hunt is a BIG upgrade regardless of where he lines up or what he does.
3: HOPEFULLY Freddie Kitchens will stop outsmarting himself and lean hard on play-action, roll Baker out more, keep it up with the screens (another thing his detractors ignore)...
4: The Steelers' Offense is (dammit) still pretty good, substantially because their Offensive Line is one of the best in football (Big Who? Ebineezer Who? Antonio Who?)
But vs the Bills, the Browns' defense was respectable vs the run, and...well long story:
Mack Wilson blitzed (effectively) a lot, Takitaki played for once and did a fine job, but
5: I repeat (again): Kareem Hunt and the 2-back. This changes everything, ok?
If Freddie Kitchens maxes this out like I or Dilfer would the Steelers defense is on it's heels for most of the game.
Hunt, Chubb, OBJ, Landry the core skill-group what are you kidding me!?!
The Browns average over 5 yards per carry with this offensive line ok!?!
The Browns should stomp the Steelers, but...
Will Freddie Kitchens keep trying to outsmart everybody? Will he admit that he should run more, and (duh) run more play-action?
...Is Freddie Kitchens the idjut the lynch-mob says he is? Obviously, no--if you pay attention, and see how he jumped all over Kareem Hunt and the 20 and 21 sets and motions and lead blocks and---
Don't count Freddie Kitchens out just yet.
Just sayin
Sunday, November 10, 2019
Browns' Sloppy Win Shows Great Promise. It's Coming Together. The Trend is Your Freind.
A win is a win, but I'm kinda glad I wasn't allowed to watch the game (my boss makes sure I can't every week).
Although the red zone performance was just inexplicably bad (CHUBB getting STUFFED repeatedly!?!), there were some rays of hope for the future:
1: Freddie is running the "pony" backfield with Hunt and Chubb a lot (he must read this blog!).
As I posted, Hunt often lines up in the slot or wide to drive linebackers, safeties, and defensive coordinators nuts, and his lead blocks for Chubb were excellent as well.
Kareem Hunt made a real impact in this game.
2: RashardWho? Higgins was allowed to play and came up with the winning touchdown. I hope he'll get more opportunities, as Baker Mayfield never seems to miss him.
3: In the second half, Baker seemed to start "clicking" with OBJ for a change. (But I have to mention here that OBJ was an instant record-breaking superstar right out of college with Eli Manning, despite missing preseason and several games with an injury. This is troubling in re Baker Mayfield. It shouldn't have taken this long).
4: The Bills have one of the best defenses in the NFL, (notably the cornerback who stuck to OBJ like a leech for most of the game).
Chubb and Hunt didn't get the memo.
5: Doug Dieken noted that inside the 3 yard line, the Browns added extra tight ends and linemen and bunched them all together.
Then (you guys tell me) they sent Chubb inside. I kept hearing Jim tell me he "bounced" outside and "tries to stretch it out".
Doug thinks that a more conventional spread might work better.
You got Hunt in there. Are they going to ignore him--even on the one yard line? They have to put a safety or linebacker right on him if he deploys outside...and he can BLOCK that guy TOO!!!
Move one of the (real) tight ends outside a little. Ditto! Now the Chubbinator has more GAPS to hit, and you can angle him or pitch to him and let him attack like he does with zone-blocking!
Oh sorry: Zone blocking doesn't work on the goal line. It's all smashmouth, because (nevermind). But the Browns' 2019 offensive line isn't built for smashmouth, and Doug Dieken has a point about spreading out a little more inside the 3 (and NOT committing Chubb to an a-gap).
I'm pretty sure that this will dawn on Freddie when they watch the films, and next week's goal line offense will look a little different (at least if Captain Obvious is consulting).
6: The defense did a good job overall, and the special teams did better.
7: For the second week in a row, there weren't many dumbass penalties, and for the FIRST week in a row, there weren't many dumbass offensive playcalls either.
In other potentially good news, LB S Takitaki made an appearance on defense. LB Wilson made a significant impact as a blitzer (as well as in coverage and vs the run), and looks like a rising star.
(Update: PFF said he sucked).
A third rookie, Safety Sheldrick Redwine, had to play more on defense, and looked pretty good.
So did 2018 draftee DE Chad Thomas, filling in for the injured Olivier Vernon.
(Update: PFF said Thomas sucked.)
Veteran "blocking" TE Demetrius Harris is emerging as a clutch receiver.
Baker Mayfield showed signs of becoming himself again (under pressure).
8: Baker rolled out more, threw more screens, and more play-actions (read my last 2 posts--and the rest: Freddie is doing everything I said he should do! Obviously he reads this blog or is a genius -blush-blush-)
Next are the Stoolers on thursday night. The Steelers just whupped the LA Rams; mostly because their defense punked the Rams' offense.
...Austin Corbett is one of the Rams' starting offensive linemen, and they've generally been wiped out by injuries. One (very young) guy has started at 3 different positions in as many weeks as guys went down.
The Rams line the Steelers punked out is less talented and (especially) less stable/integrated than the Browns' line.
Also, the Rams 2019 defense is not all that great. I frankly expected the Steelers to beat the Rams, and that the 2019 Rams won't make the playoffs.
...anyway once you get past the hype, and check out the trends, you should understand why the Browns are favored over the Steelers, as they were over the 6-2 Bills.
I hereby predict that the Browns will beat the Steelers unless they screw it up, and you can take that to the bank.
Also, I'm sticking with my 10-6 W/L prediction (will update this friday when I have more data).
I HAVE SPOKEN
Although the red zone performance was just inexplicably bad (CHUBB getting STUFFED repeatedly!?!), there were some rays of hope for the future:
1: Freddie is running the "pony" backfield with Hunt and Chubb a lot (he must read this blog!).
As I posted, Hunt often lines up in the slot or wide to drive linebackers, safeties, and defensive coordinators nuts, and his lead blocks for Chubb were excellent as well.
Kareem Hunt made a real impact in this game.
2: Rashard
3: In the second half, Baker seemed to start "clicking" with OBJ for a change. (But I have to mention here that OBJ was an instant record-breaking superstar right out of college with Eli Manning, despite missing preseason and several games with an injury. This is troubling in re Baker Mayfield. It shouldn't have taken this long).
4: The Bills have one of the best defenses in the NFL, (notably the cornerback who stuck to OBJ like a leech for most of the game).
Chubb and Hunt didn't get the memo.
5: Doug Dieken noted that inside the 3 yard line, the Browns added extra tight ends and linemen and bunched them all together.
Then (you guys tell me) they sent Chubb inside. I kept hearing Jim tell me he "bounced" outside and "tries to stretch it out".
Doug thinks that a more conventional spread might work better.
You got Hunt in there. Are they going to ignore him--even on the one yard line? They have to put a safety or linebacker right on him if he deploys outside...and he can BLOCK that guy TOO!!!
Move one of the (real) tight ends outside a little. Ditto! Now the Chubbinator has more GAPS to hit, and you can angle him or pitch to him and let him attack like he does with zone-blocking!
Oh sorry: Zone blocking doesn't work on the goal line. It's all smashmouth, because (nevermind). But the Browns' 2019 offensive line isn't built for smashmouth, and Doug Dieken has a point about spreading out a little more inside the 3 (and NOT committing Chubb to an a-gap).
I'm pretty sure that this will dawn on Freddie when they watch the films, and next week's goal line offense will look a little different (at least if Captain Obvious is consulting).
6: The defense did a good job overall, and the special teams did better.
7: For the second week in a row, there weren't many dumbass penalties, and for the FIRST week in a row, there weren't many dumbass offensive playcalls either.
In other potentially good news, LB S Takitaki made an appearance on defense. LB Wilson made a significant impact as a blitzer (as well as in coverage and vs the run), and looks like a rising star.
(Update: PFF said he sucked).
A third rookie, Safety Sheldrick Redwine, had to play more on defense, and looked pretty good.
So did 2018 draftee DE Chad Thomas, filling in for the injured Olivier Vernon.
(Update: PFF said Thomas sucked.)
Veteran "blocking" TE Demetrius Harris is emerging as a clutch receiver.
Baker Mayfield showed signs of becoming himself again (under pressure).
8: Baker rolled out more, threw more screens, and more play-actions (read my last 2 posts--and the rest: Freddie is doing everything I said he should do! Obviously he reads this blog or is a genius -blush-blush-)
Next are the Stoolers on thursday night. The Steelers just whupped the LA Rams; mostly because their defense punked the Rams' offense.
...Austin Corbett is one of the Rams' starting offensive linemen, and they've generally been wiped out by injuries. One (very young) guy has started at 3 different positions in as many weeks as guys went down.
The Rams line the Steelers punked out is less talented and (especially) less stable/integrated than the Browns' line.
Also, the Rams 2019 defense is not all that great. I frankly expected the Steelers to beat the Rams, and that the 2019 Rams won't make the playoffs.
...anyway once you get past the hype, and check out the trends, you should understand why the Browns are favored over the Steelers, as they were over the 6-2 Bills.
I hereby predict that the Browns will beat the Steelers unless they screw it up, and you can take that to the bank.
Also, I'm sticking with my 10-6 W/L prediction (will update this friday when I have more data).
I HAVE SPOKEN
Saturday, November 9, 2019
Saddle Up the Chubbernaut, Freddie: If You Lose this One, God Help You.
I mostly agree with Martin McConnell on what the Browns need to do to beat the Bills in Cleveland tomorrow.
I also agree with Captain Obvious. The Browns need to run, run, and run some more.
But it goes beyond that, ok? They should also throw more screen passes and exploit the running with play-action passes deeper (as they should have been doing all along).
Louis Riddick and James Jones predicted a lopsided win for the Browns (yeah I'm stunned too).
But they probably see the Bills' weakness vs the run as the key to the rest of it.
The Bills do put heat on opposing passers, and have a terrific secondary. But you can't sell out on the passrush when a Landry/Beckham/Chubb/Hunt/Callaway might catch a screen pass immediately after the snap.
Strong safeties and linebackers can't commit to coverage when the run threat is so dire, and they see the Quarterback acting like he's handing off.
The Chubbinator (and now Hunt) can take the heat off the offensive tackles and Mayfield by forcing Defensive Ends to set the edge rather than attack. A physical running game makes everything better for an offense, if the coaches have the brains to exploit it.
Do you get this, really? When defenses stack the box, they're opening intermediate passing lanes. If an offense is able to run into the teeth of that stack and still get yardage, turn out the lights--the party's over.
Defenses get desperate, and sell out to stop the run. Safeties and linebackers move forward to intercept the ballcarrier; going where he goes (and not at the Quarterback).
It's not chess anymore. It's trench warfare. Defenses can't outsmart it, see?
The Bills are no doubt working hard on their run defense and have all sorts of insideously diabolical stuff prepared to stop (or at least slow down) the Chubbernaut (and his sidekick Hunt haha), but when the rubber meets the road, Louis, James and I doubt that they can.
Understand that the 2019 Browns are more a zone-blocking than G-power offense, and that Nick Chubb is custom-made to exploit it.
Understand also that opposing defenses have a harder time figuring out how to defeat this blocking scheme than they do power/man.
Hue Jackson'sonly favorite blocking scheme required an exceptional athlete at Left Guard, and is predictable. Defenses can stunt and blitze based on tendancies and sometimes blow these heavily-structured schemes up.
But while the defense knows exactly what each offensive lineman will do in a zone-blocking scheme (once they read to which side of the field the back is going), there is no way to "outsmart" it presnap.
That's because there is no predefined "hole" for the running back to hit. He just cruises along, looking for a gap to open up (or to see if he can get around the corner).
If I had just been bigger, stronger, quicker, and faster, I would have been a great zone-back...anyway I get it:
Gaps always open up. Defenders can do everything right, but they're moving sideways instead of forward (advantage big uglies) and a back with vision and a second gear will find a seam (or the edge). It's unpredictable and chaotic.
The Eagles, I believe, overpowered the Bills defense up the gut. It could be really bad reporting, but that sounds like power/man.
The Browns Offensive Line isn't built for that, but the game-film is still exploitable, and the Bills' DC...
Well all you can do vs zone-blocking is try to penetrate vertically to get backsi---
nevermind. All you guys need to know is that in my humble expert opinion, Chubb (and Hunt) should run all over these guys, and if Freddie doesn't exploit it with play-action and screens, well...
Note on the screens: Screen passes are used to mitigate a strong passrush. The QB gets rid of the ball instantly, and (like the running game), makes passrushers hesitate...
Ok sorry anyway the Bills scare me but I'm encouraged by these legit experts and my own analysis and hereby predict that the Browns might be unable to find a way to lose this game.
You can quote me on that.
I also agree with Captain Obvious. The Browns need to run, run, and run some more.
But it goes beyond that, ok? They should also throw more screen passes and exploit the running with play-action passes deeper (as they should have been doing all along).
Louis Riddick and James Jones predicted a lopsided win for the Browns (yeah I'm stunned too).
But they probably see the Bills' weakness vs the run as the key to the rest of it.
The Bills do put heat on opposing passers, and have a terrific secondary. But you can't sell out on the passrush when a Landry/Beckham/Chubb/Hunt/Callaway might catch a screen pass immediately after the snap.
Strong safeties and linebackers can't commit to coverage when the run threat is so dire, and they see the Quarterback acting like he's handing off.
The Chubbinator (and now Hunt) can take the heat off the offensive tackles and Mayfield by forcing Defensive Ends to set the edge rather than attack. A physical running game makes everything better for an offense, if the coaches have the brains to exploit it.
Do you get this, really? When defenses stack the box, they're opening intermediate passing lanes. If an offense is able to run into the teeth of that stack and still get yardage, turn out the lights--the party's over.
Defenses get desperate, and sell out to stop the run. Safeties and linebackers move forward to intercept the ballcarrier; going where he goes (and not at the Quarterback).
It's not chess anymore. It's trench warfare. Defenses can't outsmart it, see?
The Bills are no doubt working hard on their run defense and have all sorts of insideously diabolical stuff prepared to stop (or at least slow down) the Chubbernaut (and his sidekick Hunt haha), but when the rubber meets the road, Louis, James and I doubt that they can.
Understand that the 2019 Browns are more a zone-blocking than G-power offense, and that Nick Chubb is custom-made to exploit it.
Understand also that opposing defenses have a harder time figuring out how to defeat this blocking scheme than they do power/man.
Hue Jackson's
But while the defense knows exactly what each offensive lineman will do in a zone-blocking scheme (once they read to which side of the field the back is going), there is no way to "outsmart" it presnap.
That's because there is no predefined "hole" for the running back to hit. He just cruises along, looking for a gap to open up (or to see if he can get around the corner).
If I had just been bigger, stronger, quicker, and faster, I would have been a great zone-back...anyway I get it:
Gaps always open up. Defenders can do everything right, but they're moving sideways instead of forward (advantage big uglies) and a back with vision and a second gear will find a seam (or the edge). It's unpredictable and chaotic.
The Eagles, I believe, overpowered the Bills defense up the gut. It could be really bad reporting, but that sounds like power/man.
The Browns Offensive Line isn't built for that, but the game-film is still exploitable, and the Bills' DC...
Well all you can do vs zone-blocking is try to penetrate vertically to get backsi---
nevermind. All you guys need to know is that in my humble expert opinion, Chubb (and Hunt) should run all over these guys, and if Freddie doesn't exploit it with play-action and screens, well...
Note on the screens: Screen passes are used to mitigate a strong passrush. The QB gets rid of the ball instantly, and (like the running game), makes passrushers hesitate...
Ok sorry anyway the Bills scare me but I'm encouraged by these legit experts and my own analysis and hereby predict that the Browns might be unable to find a way to lose this game.
You can quote me on that.
Friday, November 8, 2019
Rumors are Rumors, Dan. Man Up, Freddie. There is a Ray of Hope, Browns fans.
Dan Justik may have a valid theory about a lack of strong leadership in the Browns' locker room, but shouldn't be taking unsubstantiated reports (ie Rashard Higgins refused to take the field when called upon vs the Broncos) to the bank.
Higgins is in a contract year, and needs to put some plays on tape. He doesn't want to make the league minimum salary (or be out of the NFL) in 2020. He has chemistry with Baker Mayfield. Why tf would he refuse to play?
Because he is offended that the much faster and more explosive Antonio Callaway is hogging up the reps? He's pouting? Throwing a tantrum?
Come on, Dan!
I still included the link because Dan's theory about leadership rings true.
Brian Baldinger thinks the Browns should get OBJ more involved in the red zone.
He's right, sorta:
Charlie Weiss (founder of the Patriots offense) said that on 3rd and 3, the coaches often tell the quarterbacks to ignore the outside receivers, and just go for the first down.
He said this in reference to the play in which Mayfield threw into coverage while Beckham was wide open on the sideline.
Baker was no doubt happy to comply, as looking anywhere else would have required an extra couple tenths of a second, so....
Well since he's not moving, along with his blockers, and the defense knows exactly where to find Mayfield all the time, and you took Nick Chubb off the fkng field on 3rd and 3?!? ohhmmmm....ohmmmmm.....
I remain optimistic that Kareem Hunt's return will kinda mandate what Kosar calls a "pony" backfield, and radically transform the whole offense.
If I'm right, 1: play-action will become the staple it should have been all along. This will definitely give Mayfield more time to throw. A good current example is Kirk Cousins and the Vikings.
2: BOTH running backs are dangerous receivers.
3: BOTH running backs can block any passrusher (long story see "cut-blocks" etc)
4: BOTH running backs can lead-block and run outside or inside. They are powerful, fast, AND elusive.
5: The only key a defense has is that Nick Chubb is unlikely to line up as an outside receiver. Which isn't helpful.
6: BOTH running backs can score from anywhere on the field.
7: Kareem Hunt is a default superweapon who has to be on the field and instantly upgrades the overall offense.
7a: So are OBJ and Landry. The 5th skill-player could be either a tight end or WR. Ideally, Njoku would have been that guy, but now it's between Rickey Seales-Jones, Callaway, and Higgins (aint that terrible?)
...of course, Freddie Kitchens needs to see it, like Captain Obvious, you, and I do so...?
Updated W/L prediction 10-6 (update monday)
Higgins is in a contract year, and needs to put some plays on tape. He doesn't want to make the league minimum salary (or be out of the NFL) in 2020. He has chemistry with Baker Mayfield. Why tf would he refuse to play?
Because he is offended that the much faster and more explosive Antonio Callaway is hogging up the reps? He's pouting? Throwing a tantrum?
Come on, Dan!
I still included the link because Dan's theory about leadership rings true.
Brian Baldinger thinks the Browns should get OBJ more involved in the red zone.
He's right, sorta:
Charlie Weiss (founder of the Patriots offense) said that on 3rd and 3, the coaches often tell the quarterbacks to ignore the outside receivers, and just go for the first down.
He said this in reference to the play in which Mayfield threw into coverage while Beckham was wide open on the sideline.
Baker was no doubt happy to comply, as looking anywhere else would have required an extra couple tenths of a second, so....
Well since he's not moving, along with his blockers, and the defense knows exactly where to find Mayfield all the time, and you took Nick Chubb off the fkng field on 3rd and 3?!? ohhmmmm....ohmmmmm.....
I remain optimistic that Kareem Hunt's return will kinda mandate what Kosar calls a "pony" backfield, and radically transform the whole offense.
If I'm right, 1: play-action will become the staple it should have been all along. This will definitely give Mayfield more time to throw. A good current example is Kirk Cousins and the Vikings.
2: BOTH running backs are dangerous receivers.
3: BOTH running backs can block any passrusher (long story see "cut-blocks" etc)
4: BOTH running backs can lead-block and run outside or inside. They are powerful, fast, AND elusive.
5: The only key a defense has is that Nick Chubb is unlikely to line up as an outside receiver. Which isn't helpful.
6: BOTH running backs can score from anywhere on the field.
7: Kareem Hunt is a default superweapon who has to be on the field and instantly upgrades the overall offense.
7a: So are OBJ and Landry. The 5th skill-player could be either a tight end or WR. Ideally, Njoku would have been that guy, but now it's between Rickey Seales-Jones, Callaway, and Higgins (aint that terrible?)
...of course, Freddie Kitchens needs to see it, like Captain Obvious, you, and I do so...?
Updated W/L prediction 10-6 (update monday)
Thursday, November 7, 2019
DO YOUR JOB Cleveland Browns: Consistency, Discipline Win. Ask the Patriots, Steelers, Ravens, 49ers, Saints, Seahawks, etc
Ellis L Williams (Cleveland.com) takes Olivier Vernon and Myles Garrett to the woodshed for 2 critical mistakes vs the Broncos, which kept the Browns' defense on the field and led to Bronco points first, and then to the Denver kneeldown (instead of Mayfield getting the ball back with over 2 minutes on the clock).
Like you guys, I was oblivious until Ellis pointed these plays out.
Ellis also offered theories about why they screwed up. Myles Garrett was greedy for another sack (so he "went with" a chip-block and took an inside lane to the backfield, which gave Jacobs (the running quarterback) the edge.)
In Wilks's defense, the defensive ends must "set the edge", or force runners either inside or out of bounds---especially vs athletic quarterbacks.
Both players blew their assignments, while the other 10 stuck to the script. Both players knew better, and were physically able to (ahem) do their jobs.
Verily, Baker Mayfield is struggling, and defenders are (sigh) once again blowing tackles and stuff, but at least the defenders are where they are supposed to be when they drip off ballcarriers...
But as Ellis points out, had Vernon and Garrett not gone off-script on these 2 plays, they probably beat the Broncos and have 3 wins now.
...It's not just a game of inches. It's also a game of critical moments. Lord Insideous's catch phrase is "Do your job".
Now we know why.
Browns: DO. YOUR. JOBS.
Like you guys, I was oblivious until Ellis pointed these plays out.
Ellis also offered theories about why they screwed up. Myles Garrett was greedy for another sack (so he "went with" a chip-block and took an inside lane to the backfield, which gave Jacobs (the running quarterback) the edge.)
In Wilks's defense, the defensive ends must "set the edge", or force runners either inside or out of bounds---especially vs athletic quarterbacks.
It might seem like Ellis is unfairly targeting Vernon and Garrett (who are good edge-setters overall) for two plays in a whole game, but, if you read the article, you get that these "lapses" are inexcusable:
Both players blew their assignments, while the other 10 stuck to the script. Both players knew better, and were physically able to (ahem) do their jobs.
Verily, Baker Mayfield is struggling, and defenders are (sigh) once again blowing tackles and stuff, but at least the defenders are where they are supposed to be when they drip off ballcarriers...
But as Ellis points out, had Vernon and Garrett not gone off-script on these 2 plays, they probably beat the Broncos and have 3 wins now.
...It's not just a game of inches. It's also a game of critical moments. Lord Insideous's catch phrase is "Do your job".
Now we know why.
Browns: DO. YOUR. JOBS.
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