DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Speed

Despite speed, someone who can know enough to be in the right place to begin with, can be more effective.

Yes - I agree. If you think back to when Ohio State would turn up for a bowl game against an SEC team and get spanked - something always jumped off the page (to me at least) and that was the speed differential seemingly all over the field.

I agree 100% that we seemed to lack speed - most especially at LB. Phillips stood out when he played, but I don't know that I trust him to take the leap forward we need. But speed at LB would really help.

I also agree that being in the right position-or- being elite at reading plays and the flow of the play can be a substitute for speed. But the way the game has changed over the years, the impact of TE's and pass catching RB's ... having speed can help when the defense blows it.

Personally I'd rate an elite LB above any other upgrade - but understand that getting an edge rusher opposite MG would potentially be huge - or Leonard Williams who can do it from the middle. And then someone to help shore up the secondary. I could role with a mix of the safeties we have. Especially if Delpit is probable to return close to 100% ... I like Mitchel at CB but would like an upgrade in case Greedy doesn't make a full recovery. * Assuming they make full recoveries I think Ward, Greedy, Delpit and Harrison all have sufficient speed and ability at their positions ... but more would not hurt.

Speed is needed at the LB level and in the secondary .. and w/our WR corps. KC exposed our lack of speed big time. We couldn’t separate much, even on PA stuff.

OBJ obviously would help this if he’s back

Forget to mention the WR core. I've said it elsewhere, I do wish we had an out an out burner to stretch the field vertically, if OBJ can be that guy I'm delighted. . . I always thought of him as run after the catch and elite quickness rather than top end speed.

I think we all do. I agree on OBJ. he is a run after catch guy, so we best use him that way and stop streaking him down the field all the time.

bonefish, that is a pretty nice summary of our d. Only thing I would add is I believe at the combine taki’s 40 time was a little faster than Phillips. I know there is more to it than straight speed but I do think they are pretty comparable.
I am not as negative about our young backers as many. I think all three will continue to improve with experience.

I see it the same way as you bonefish.

If we want to get more speed on the field, then having 3 safeties is the way to go. That's why I see Berry making a splash and signing a FS to a nice contract.

I'm thinking he goes after a Marcus: Marcus Williams or Marcus Maye.

That would allow the Browns to play 3 safeties like Woods wants and provide insurance for Delpit's injury. We can't have a FS with only 2 passes defensed and 0 interceptions next year; that is unacceptable, especially with how often Sendejo was targeted.

If we play 3 safeties more, LB becomes less of a need. Bring in a veteran, and use another mid-round pick on a LB. One of our young LBs has to pan-out.

Next priority is a DE opposite MG. We have to bring in someone that can play at a high level-next year; we are built to win NOW. Bring in someone on a 1-year deal that can provide high-level play this year, and hit this position high in the draft and let them rotate in and develop this year without too much immediate pressure to preform.

Next priority is CB. Luckily, there are a lot of veteran CBs free agents this year. Hopefully, that drives their price down. Sign 2 and draft 1 in the middle rounds.

DT I'm not too worried about this year with Billings coming back, but we need to get younger in the future. I'd draft a DT early.

We'll see what Berry does, but I trust him to make good decisions.

Like Saturday Night Live: The "Not Ready for Prime Time Players"

Really hope they develop more. I don't see them as the answer as starters yet. Need another safety, a speed merchant, and a MLB who can pound and cover. Might be wrong, but willing to risk this. The D still needs attention IMO for the next step.