DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum WR Coach Al Saunders on Young Wide Receivers

Sure it's from the Browns site ..... but I think that Saunders is a fairly straightforward guy. There's a long presser on the link.

Al Saunders excited by potential of Browns’ young, unheralded receivers
http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/Al-Saunders-excited-by-potential-of-Browns%E2%80%99-young-unheralded-receivers/a949d576-98c3-483f-b38a-c4abf61c88e0

Al Saunders couldn’t believe his own eyes, so he needed some first-hand verification.
Last year, the senior offensive assistant and veteran wide receivers coach watched his numerous rookies go through their expected ups and downs as they tackled the complex nature of the position at the highest level of competition. It was a challenge for all of them, but particularly so for Jordan Payton and Rashard Higgins, who combined for seven receptions for 80 yards amid limited opportunities.

“When you come into a new program,” Saunders said, “it's like learning a new language.”

So when Saunders saw Payton make play after play the right way during OTAs and minicamp, he had to make sure he was dealing with the same player. He looked him square in the facemask and smiled.

“Did we get a new 84?” Saunders said. “This guy is running fast, he's coming out of breaks, he's catching the ball, he's a competitive guy … I know one thing, he can play in the National Football League. He's playing at a level much greater than he did last year.”

The same can be said for Higgins, the late fifth-round selection who didn’t see the field much until late in the season, when he was used as a big slot receiver. While Kenny Britt, Corey Coleman and Ricardo Louis figure to have prominent roles in this year’s passing game, the Browns will need a handful of others step up from a group that is high on upside but low on experience.

Higgins, Payton, Rannell Hall, Mario Alford, James Wright and more will be competing for spots in a wide receiver group Saunders views as a year wiser.

“Most of them are totally fluent in the foreign language they've learned being in the Cleveland Browns offense. They've adapted dramatically,” Saunders said. “They've all incrementally progressed a great deal. Now what they've got to do is continue to do that because we haven't played against anybody yet. When we put pads on and we play real games, it's got to be physical and do things in a stressful environment.

“I'm hoping what they've done and shown to this point will carry over.”

At this time last year, Hall was impressing in a similar fashion.

Signed off Tampa Bay’s practice squad near the end of the 2015 season, he made a quick impression on Saunders during the offseason workout program and carried that momentum into training camp. He was having a nice preseason debut at Green Bay until the second half, when he went down with a broken fibula. His season was over.

Hall said he was back to 100 percent by the end of the 2016 season. He wasn’t limited in the slightest during OTAs and minicamp.

“I remember going to the hospital and spending some time with he and his mother there. It was a severe, severe fracture,” Saunders said. “He's come back and you would never know he's had any injury. He's better than he was when he got hurt. We're excited about the competition he's providing to all of those guys.”

Cleveland’s 11-man room will be pared down a bit by the time the season arrives, but there are favorable odds that at least a couple of the remaining players will be entering with minimal experience. That’s the challenge one of the most experienced position coaches in the entire NFL is ready to tackle.

“Every day I come to work, that is the most important thing to me is helping those guys get better. I believe that we can develop them,” Saunders said. “I would love nothing better than our young players to reach their level, whatever that might be, of effectiveness. That is my reward as a coach is seeing players do well and progress in their skills.”

I like the group we have. I understand most aren't excited about the guys we drafted last year, but I think their success in college will translate over to the NFL; of course with time/training/coaching.

I think the obvious is that Britt, Coleman, Louis, Higgins, and Payton will make the team. No way the front office cuts the string short on guys that had limited playing time their rookie year. Player development is important for this front office, and we'll see that with this group.

Rannell Hall could be the guy to challenge Higgins and Payton, but I doubt it happens.

The one guy I'm still intrigued with is Mario Alford, simply for his punt/kick return abilities. I hope our coaches really analyze that position, because our special teams unit has been lacking for the past few years. We never really found 'that' guy since Josh Cribbs. Alford has the speed, agility, and vision to maximize those opportunities.

This group is a huge unknown. The WR corps has been widely disparaged, yet we as fans, know almost nothing about them other than they are short on experience. So we basically know nothing. It's quite possible they surprise us this season. My main concern at this point is Coleman's durability. Durability & availability are two "abilities" he's been sorely lacking. We must have a guy who can fill his position when (not if) he goes down. I'm looking forward to seeing the passing game this preseason.

If a few of them turn it up and really produce, next off season, we won't be talking about this. We'll move on to another position LOL

None of these receivers should rest well the night before cutday. Waiver wire upgrades are likely to be coming.

A bit a fluff piece. But encouraging.

Expect the worst.

You'll never be disappointed.

I'm very happy to hear Saunders talking the group up. I mean that is what coaches should do with such a young, inexperienced group of players. You certainly wouldn't want to hear a coach degrade or question these players.

So it's a good job by the coach with little to no actual meaning.

I could be wrong, but I really don't remember him talking up the rooks last year all that much.

He did talk about Pryor a lot, and that wound up being deserved.

Now... whether we see a step up from these young guys or not - Al is a true stand up guy. You can tell he loves coaching and the bonds that are formed with players and coach. His pressers are always a delight since he's been here, I've watched em' all.

I think as badly as we (the fans) want to see someone like Louis, or whoever, step up and play at a consistent high level - no one would want it more than Al. If he says he sees improvement and the nature in which he discussed it - then I myself got/gets a little more optimistic about what I've been ripping on so bad, our WR core.

I have a few points:

1. I suggest reading only Saunders quotes and ignoring the BS by the homer reporter. Also, consider if he is being asked leading questions by the homer reporter.

2. Cal said we know nothing about the young WRs. I disagree. I think we saw that they were not good route runners, dropped too many passes, and didn't get separation last year. Can they improve? I would say yes. However, the group sucked ass last year.

3. Every year, the fans and certain media types paint a rosy picture. We have heard how Paul Hubbard was going to be a stud. How Benji would be uncoverable on deep routes. How Bademosi was going to be the next great safety. How Erving was going to solidify the OL. Blah, blah, blah. I'll believe it when I see it. And I am not saying they won't produce, but I do think the odds are pretty long.

Waiting to see is not only the prudent thing to do, its really the only thing that can be done. The few things I think are likeley are:

The team will be inclined to develop the young guys as opposed to overhauling the receiver corp with middling veterans cut from other teams.

Hall will get as good a look as any of the other receivers on the roster. It's reported that he showed a lot of promise before being injured in last year's camp.

I don't wanna be Debbie Downer, but I need to echo Vers here.
Take a realists view of the article folks, not the Editor's view. Read what is there, not what the author is wanting to lead you to think.


That said, I think that this might be the most interested I've been in attending camp since roughly 2007. I want to see how this gaggle looks with my own eyes.

Not sure if it's the same interview of him talking about Hawkins and TP calling him and staying in touch and talking once a week... I personally dont care what they do.. I care about what the players on this team do now.

The list is endless
Travis Wilson was the real deal in rd 3
Nick Speegle was a steal out of N.M State
David Veikune was gonna be a stud
Martin Rucker was gonna be a game changer
And if you didn't agree with the homers it was
YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT FOOTBALL.
Then when these draft picks didnt pan out
It was the coaches fault the homers would say

You made me snicker.....

You forgot Beau Bell....he's a real thumper!

So we will. I'll break it down.

1.
“When you come into a new program,” Saunders said, “it's like learning a new language.”

2.“Did we get a new 84?” Saunders said. “This guy is running fast, he's coming out of breaks, he's catching the ball, he's a competitive guy … I know one thing, he can play in the National Football League. He's playing at a level much greater than he did last year.”

3.“Most of them are totally fluent in the foreign language they've learned being in the Cleveland Browns offense. They've adapted dramatically,” Saunders said. “They've all incrementally progressed a great deal. Now what they've got to do is continue to do that because we haven't played against anybody yet. When we put pads on and we play real games, it's got to be physical and do things in a stressful environment.

“I'm hoping what they've done and shown to this point will carry over.”

4.“I remember going to the hospital and spending some time with he and his mother there. It was a severe, severe fracture,” Saunders said. “He's come back and you would never know he's had any injury. He's better than he was when he got hurt. We're excited about the competition he's providing to all of those guys.” ( this was about Rannell Hall)

5.
“Every day I come to work, that is the most important thing to me is helping those guys get better. I believe that we can develop them,” Saunders said. “I would love nothing better than our young players to reach their level, whatever that might be, of effectiveness. That is my reward as a coach is seeing players do well and progress in their skills.”


Five quotes that don't say all that much other than offer hope. The only one that sounded like a real prop was the first one about Peyton.

Yeah, that's how I read Saunders' quotes, as well. Nothing wrong w/hope, as long as people don't confuse it w/reality.

Also, after reading Purp's comments, I went back and reread my own. I didn't really intend to sound so negative. I apologize. I am not saying they won't be good. I just think the odds of this unit being good this year or ever [as it is presently constructed] are a bit long.

Still talk QB position, I suspect! LOLetc. Seems an eternal, perennial fave here on the board.

But imagine: If we were to fix the QB situation to almost everybody's satisfaction, what then?

Crickets. Lots of 'em. Hope we step up to this season. I am thinking wire as well.

I'd think the Falcons were a bit further along then we were, don't ya think?

He looked like Peter Gabriel when he played for us.

Ah, this the season for fluff pieces and for those who take great joy in shooting them down...

Good times.. let the fun begin.

Agreed. People got upset about Gabriel being cut, but if I remember correctly, he was injured for some of training camp and he kept dropping the ball.

Williams was unfamiliar with him, and there wasn't much that would sell the guy. It's not like the season before's tape made the guy out to be a star.


Gabriel went to the Falcons, whose offense was coached by Shannahan, whom he had success with in the past, and picked it up.



It's hard for me to blame the Browns for letting Gabriel go. Most of us on the board figured he'd be getting cut anyway........

I'm shocked Williams still has a place on the coaching staff.

As others have mentioned - Al does not seem like a rah-rah BS guy. I don't remember him giving and false hope last year. I'm not very enthusiastic about the WR's we have and this is probably the most encouraging thing I have read all off season. But it only counts when they start on Sundays and the performance carries over.

the quote about Payton is very promising to me ... and encouraging. coaches generally don't dole out that much praise, usually using generalities.

I will say this: SPARQ based drafting is supposed to measure an athlete ceiling and athletic growth/potential ... looks like Payton is improving here

The Browns have so many questions at WR\QB one can't compliment the other
There is no proven threat at either position
I don't see too many 100 yd games out of any WR or a 300 yd game out of a QB
Unless it's garbage time yards and it's a 2 TD deficit

I was reading a MMQB article on analytics in the NFL, and one of the approaches cited was the Pats stocking up on RB/TE/SWR who can create mismatches, and attack defenses where they are weakest in pass defense, as opposed to doling out huge bucks for top WRs, who would be going against the best players on the opposing pass defense. .

I foudn that rather interesting.

I'll see if I can find the article.

Here t is. It's a long article, but here is the part I mentioned:

How Analytics Are Used in the NFL | The MMQB with Peter King
http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2017/06/27/nfl-a...ries-chip-kelly

Didn't the Pats have Randy Moss at one point and just trade for Brandin Cooks?

Sure did. They spent what ... a 5th or 6th round pick on Moss, who had had all kinds of trouble prior to the trade?

Cooks is definitely the exception to the Patriots usual mode of operation, as this whole off-season has been.

Let me make sure I understand what you are saying. Are you comparing the Browns' strategy to New England's and predicting similar results?

If not, why even bring it up?

Not trying to fight, but curious as to where the heck you are going w/this rhetoric.

Yeah but are they ganna carry them all.

They currently have 10 WRs, 7 RBs, 6 TEs, and 2 FBs on their roster.

Someone's gatta go.

Yeah someone does have to go. As having ten W.R and seven RB's is one too many or two.

Don't worry about the lack of veteran depth on the skill position side of things ?
If Britt is lost to injury then who on the depth chart
Can step in right away ?
If the rookie TE from Miami goes down then who behind him can fill the void ?
This team is awfully young at TE WR and to a extent QB.

What I am saying is that it makes sense for the Browns, especially since we lack an established QB, to have, develop, and utilize weapons in a similar manner to the Pats philosophy.

It's easier to consistently get the ball to a SWR playing against the #3 CB, a TE playing against a S, or to a RB playing against a LB, than it is to have to challenge the best coverage players on the defense, at the outside CB spots.

The Pats have done so for their own reasons. I am saying that this philosophy makes some degree of sense for us as well.

I'm sorry, but I don't see the similarities. The Pats have always addressed the WR position. They are constantly bringing guys in. They never just drafted 4 guys and rode w/them. Think about all the guys they have brought in. Off the top of my hea:

Moss
Donte Stallworth
Wes Welker
Jabar Gaffney
Brandon Lloyd
Ernest Givens
Austin Collie
Joey Galloway
Danny Amendola
Edelman
Michael Floyd
Chris Hogan
Malcolm Mitchell
Matthew Slater
And now:
Cooks and Andrew Hawkins

The Pats are always looking to upgrade the position and never remain stagnant.

I would also like to add that surrounding our young, inexperienced qb w/a bunch of young/inexperienced pass catchers, whether they be WRs or TE's, does not seem to be the smartest thing in the world.

I think it was a mistake to not bring in a vet or two and it was also a mistake to release Barnidge.

Our vet is Kenny Britt. We've tried having vets to help mentor our rookies, and when has it ever worked? Let the young guys take their shot. This includes Njoku.

I think the issue between you two is that YTown is looking at this purely conceptually whereas Vers is looking at things much more literally. YT likes the idea while Vers has issues with how they are going about the execution.

Just my view from the outside.

I don't think the reason it never worked has anything to do w/having guys on the team who are good route runners, have good hands, and can make sight adjustments/hot reads.