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Device - pay attention to the agenda of the day and the phrase of the day. We've seen "weak link" used as a mantra the last 2-3 weeks - and if you want to break down the team in a certain way, you can absolutely justify it even if I think it's done because of an agenda and a #icantwaittillhesgone mentality.

Compare the groupings:

WR - Odell is showing up and playing at the elite playmaker level we all hoped he would. Landry (barring rare drops yesterday - possibly the result of that brutal sandwich) is also a clutch performer and something of a stud. WR starters are a grade "A"

RB - Chubb is one of the / or he is the / best in the NFL. Hunt is not much or a drop off. RB's are a grade A+

OL - Have been nothing short of spectacular. I don't know what will happen to Teller - but he's been the best OG in the NFL according to PFF. When Conklin was out, Hubbard came in without much drop off. The OL is at least a B+ ... arguably an "A"

TE's - These guys have done well, though not at the same spectacular level of the WR, RB, OL groups. Very few drops all season (2? / 3?) - decent blocking. Bryant has been a huge surprise and impressive, Hooper not as involved as most thought but still very good. Grade "B" minimum - probably a "B+" ?

If you want to grade the FB - he's got to be a "B+" - I'd give him an "A" because I love seeing great blocking from the FB.

Now we come to the QB. Is he elite right now - like the RB's and WR's? Not close. Is he as stand out as the TE's OL and FB? No - not really. He's not had that game or two where he carried the team or was mistake free enough. There's been lots of good - lots of signs of improvement ... too bad about the 2nd Half of the game vs the Colts otherwise we'd agree there's been more progress. He's much changed and improved since last year - but what is his grade? I'd argue a "B" others might well argue "C+" or even lower. They might point to his QB rating in relation to the other starters in the NFL for example ... and while he's learning a new offence and adjusting to coaching that has changed quite a bit ... 4th HC in 2 1/2 seasons ... all that doesn't adjust his grade.

So ... you can argue legitimately (assuming you wanted to) that Baker is the weak link in the offense. You can imply by saying it that he's not good and limiting the team....

I think that's the point of using "weak link" - again and again and again and again. JMHO.

I mean, ok.

I think there's a reasonable argument that Baker is our strongest link.

We've scored 30+ without Chubb.

We've scored 30+ with portions of the Oline missing in action.

We've scored 30+ without our TEs at full strength.

We've scored 30+ with our 3rd receiver hurt and OBJ and Landry dropping key passes.

Baker is the one constant. And I don't think we'd be 4-1 with Keenum at QB. Keenum can't make the throws Baker can.

Baker has a good first half and then an awful second half. We still won. We're 4-1, folks. 4 and 1.

I agree with the whole post - most especially this point.

4 games in a row that Baker has been very strong in the 1st half and petered off in the 2nd half.
A part of it is the play-calling when you have a lead, but part of it is the defense adjusting and Cleveland not being able to flex their game plan to account for the adjustments.
That said, Baker is still looking promising. I was more concerned over the 3 drops (when in your life will you ever see Landry flat out drop 2 balls?). That was mind-blowing.
But we got past it and still got the W. Next week will have to be a much cleaner game (unless Garrett decides to harass and abuse Roethlisberger).

j/c

I believe both sides of this debate are displaying flawed logic when it comes to Baker. On one of the debate, I do believe people are certainly right that we wouldn't have four wins with Keenum as our starter. Baker is certainly worthy of being an NFL starter and can and will help win you games. Those who are trying to create some false reality that he's the weakest link in the chain are doing nothing but creating drama and a false narrative. That does not however make him the strongest link in the chain.

He does still have some weaknesses in his game. And while some call facts excuses, trying to claim that having four HC's in three years won't hinder his progression, that's imply a disingenuous fallacy.

But what we are seeing is a TEAM. Players working together to give us a winning product. The QB won't succeed without an OL protecting him unless he's some QB prodigy. A productive running game breeds a successful passing game and vice versa. A very solid OL breeds that both have the opportunity to succeed.

What Baker can and will become is still a mystery. What he is thus far is a QB who can be a productive part of creating wins. We didn't come out yesterday running the ball down the throats of the Colts. Yet the fact we've been able to do that so far this season was a part of the reason the Colts were concentrating on stopping the run.

What we did was come out and passed against them and we did it with success. The team did that. They did it by working together and by Stefanski understanding that exploiting the Colts in that fashion would work.

Let's not get to the point that we are either trying to underrate or overrate the contribution of everyone involved here. We have seen the ultimate team game being deployed here. There is no savior and there is no demon. Just a bunch of hard working players with a solid coaching staff working as one to create winning football games.

I agree with the whole post - but this is the part that I am most vexed with. The agenda posting is constant.

I think the biggest thing - as others have posted elsewhere. We are 4-1 as a team, with this QB and with this D. Add to that we've got here while we introducing new HC, new OC, new QB coach who is changing Baker's feet, new DC .... it's encouraging. The most encouraging for a very long time.

With the amount of injured players we're carrying right now, we're soon going to have to start hitting the FA wire and trade phones just to field a competitive team.

j/c:

I make my points w/sound football logic. I post videos that support the points I am making. I post advanced stats to support my opinions. I provide links when people ask for them. I make sure to clarify when I am stating an opinion. I don't resort to attacking the character of other posters to win a debate. Hell, I don't even talk to those guys. I think most of the things I have been saying since he got here have been proven to be true. Those stances were ridiculed and attacked by the same people who are attacking my new claims. It never ends. My narratives are not false and everyone has an agenda.

With injuries mounting, and at time porous play behind the D line, I could absolutely see getting some help via trade back there.

This might be your best post ever.

My point isn't that Baker IS the strongest link, but you can make an argument that he might be.

Baker isn't the weakest link, but it's being argued as such.

Devil's advocate, if you will.

I think QB is the weakest link, but that has far more to do with the guys around him vs Baker.

Going tank mode? Who wants Lawrence the most?

Any DBs on the Texans worth a pick next year?

woah

The love the way Bell is touting some narrative that he fell on the sword so that McCaffrey, Kamara and Elliott could get their money.

Dude is truly delusional.

I’m sure Bell would love playing in the Browns offense.

I don't want him on this team or poisoning this locker room.

He's a great talent that would help a lot with Chubb injured and Hunt hurt, but we can make do without him.

I would not want Bell. We are fine w/the RBs we have and we don't want a guy that could upset the apple cart.

So I definitely understand that sentiment. And in these situations it takes 2 to tango. If we were to graph the responsibility of this situation though, I think the needle would swing closer to Adam Gase than Bell. Bell absolutely has his issues....but I think some of those issues were exasperated by Gase. Gase has a history of pissing off his star/better players.

Look no further than Jarvis Landry. Jarvis is a coaches godsend. He is a great leader on and off the field...He is talented. He works his butt off. He is a team player...and he is just a good person from all that we have seen.

But Gase and Jarvis was an extremely untenable relationship...It was getting ugly. Some of us even questioned our picking him up because of that situation. Some thought Jarvis was a lockeroom problem. But I think you have to agree....It has worked out greatly for us.

But it isn't just Jarvis and Bell. Gase rubs the wrong way for a lot of his players. And the Jets are slowly creating a. environment of dysfunction that we as Browns fans know too much about.

As I said. Bell has his issues. He isn't the same back as he was in Pittsburgh. He can be a little too outspoken (I am being polite...lol) I do think he would LOVE running in our offense...but how long would that last? Once Chubb comes back...he is relegated to 3rd back. You think he is not happy now....lol....However, if he can accept that...for say this year...he can build a resume for a contract with someone next year.

I do think...if all parties are honest with each other...He could work out for us...But it would certainly be a rental (or insurance if we are unable to extend Chubb) And if that is what all parties expect. He could do well and set him up for his next team. And that can help us ...this year.

In the end...Once Chubb comes back, I don't think he will get enough touches to help him build that resume...It also takes carries away from D'Ernest Johnson, who appears to be developing...and has been an asset for us.(although Dontrell Hilliard would be cut/sent to practice squad....so he may have more to worry about...)

Bell has his issues. No doubt about that. But it is known that Gase never wanted him and I think Gase is a bigger problem for the Jets than Bell ever was...I think with a better coach and lockeroom...Bells issues can be minimized.

That doesn't mean we should rush to get him...If I am GM...I take a look at it...do some due diligence. Because he is being paid by the Jets this year...and there could be some real positives to come from it...If after that you think it can work...then by all means "rent" him. Otherwise let him search for his future team.

No Thanks.

Why would Bell want to sign with us when he would be irrelevant once Chubb is back?

Titans will trade or cut Kamalei Correa

Posted by Michael David Smith on October 14, 2020, 11:32 AM EDT

Titans linebacker Kamalei Correa has played only sparingly this season, and now he won’t play for the Titans at all.

NFL Network reports that Correa requested a trade after the Titans made him inactive last night, and the team will honor his request, or release him if it can’t find a trade partner.

Correa has only been on the field for 39 defensive snaps and 24 special teams plays this season.

After arriving in Tennessee in a trade with the Ravens in 2018, Correa played fairly well, and this year the Titans signed him to a one-year, $3.5 million contract. But he’s been largely phased out of the defense, and now he’s on the way out.

Any idea why the Titans basically phased him out?

Re Bell: I just said he'd love to be in this offense. Our present backs are carrying the mail just fine it seems.

Weren't the Jets the ONLY team that reached out to Bell post-Steelers?

I'd love to have ya Leveon Bell, at this point,
3 years ago, not as much.

When the Browns sign Leveon Bell, and he's their only healthy runningback, then Thank God he was there to pick up when you needed one.

Leveon Bell is far more experienced than Hilliard, or Johnson, for his career touchdowns, yards, and games,
Nick Chubb, and Kareem Hunt are ahead of him on the depth chart.

Signing Leveon Bell only says something about those twos health status, at least more than it says something about any other runningbacks abilities, that wasn't already apparent.

If they sign Leveon Bell, which I'm kind of hoping they do.

The Brownns have the best running attack in football, lead the league in team rushing yards, last time I checked, and Hunt can't play a full games worth of carries, and Chubb can't play for any carries, and Bell has played full seasons and playoffs as the #1 of a team on his league resume.
It would be a Godsend if the Browns were able to sign Bell, for both Bell and the Browns, and I'm glad he's suddenly available.

Really a RB team is big enough for 4 Rb's and then the Fb's 1 or 2, after that I think, it's overflowing, but Chubb can't give you any carries this week.
If we want to assume Hunt can give you a full load of #1 Rb carries, he just hasn't yet, this year, and leave last year out of it, just look at last week.

I'd love to have ya LeVeon Bell, Pound the Rock.

Sounds like Bell could be had for "cheap," since the Jets are on the hook for much of his salary from what I've read. I could be wrong.

Agreed. NOT the next man up. Just can't see us doing better with him in the locker room. He can help us on the field, but it is a huge trade-off IMO. Pass.

Am I missing something? Correa has started five games in four seasons and none this year? Why is this a player anyone would want to trade for?

RE Running backs: I guess having our #1 go down for several weeks makes me antsy. That ol' cupboard can get bare real fast in this league.

Maybe we should threaten to trade our maligned players to the Jets...

RB Le'Veon Bell expected to sign with Kansas City Chiefs, source says

Former New York Jets running back Le'Veon Bell is expected to sign with the Kansas City Chiefs, a league source tells ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Bell wants to win a Super Bowl and believes Kansas City is the place to go to try to do it, the source said.

He had narrowed his choices Thursday to the Dolphins, Chiefs and Bills, a source told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. The Jets play the Dolphins in Week 6, the Bills in Week 7 and the Chiefs in Week 8.

Bell will have to go through five days of COVID-19 testing before he can join the Chiefs, per league protocols, so he won't be available to play on Monday.

The 4-1 Chiefs are 13th in the league in rushing at 119 yards per game and 10th at 4.5 yards per carry. But most of their best work in the running game came in Week 1, when rookie Clyde Edwards-Helaire rushed for 138 yards and a touchdown in a win over the Houston Texans.

Since then, the Chiefs are 19th in the league in rushing (108 yards per game) and don't have a rushing touchdown from a running back.

The Chiefs lost starting running back Damien Williams before the start of the season when he opted out for Covid-19 reasons. They also have Darrel Williams, Darwin Thompson and DeAndre Washington at running back.

The Jets released Bell on Tuesday, ending a 19-month tenure that was filled with disappointment. Bell, who arrived as a marquee free agent in 2019, never clicked with coach Adam Gase, who opposed the signing from the outset.

Frustrated by his lack of involvement in the offense, Bell met with Gase and general manager Joe Douglas on Monday, a source told ESPN's Rich Cimini. They told Bell they would explore a trade and gave his agent permission to speak with other teams.

Bell, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, was a disappointment since signing a four-year, $52.5 million contract last year with the Jets, averaging only 3.3 yards per carry -- 51st out of 53 qualifying runners in the NFL during that span.

In 17 games with the Jets, Bell rushed for 863 yards and three touchdowns. He was hurt by mediocre line play and a system that didn't cater to his strengths as a versatile player.

The Jets are responsible for the remaining $6 million on Bell's 2020 base pay, but there is an offset clause that will defray it by the amount of the salary on a new contract with the Chiefs.

Bell, 28, joined the Jets after sitting out the entire 2018 season after receiving the franchise tag from the Pittsburgh Steelers for a second straight year. After gaining nearly 2,000 total yards during the 2017 season, Bell opted to eschew the $14.5 million franchise tag in 2018 -- forgoing about $855,000 per game -- so he could preserve his long-term viability for a big contract in free agency.

After the 2017 season, Bell showed his conviction by turning down a five-year, $70 million offer from the Steelers because of what he called a low true guarantee of $17 million, and he was able to miss games because he was unsigned and thus not bound to the team.

In five seasons with the Steelers, Bell rushed for 5,336 yards and 35 touchdowns. He also had 312 receptions for 2,660 yards and seven scores.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/30120515/rb-leveon-bell-expected-sign-kansas-city-chiefs

My fantasy team thanks Leveon Bell for his wise decision. (I have Gaskin and Singletary.)

J/c

Thinking about the Jets, I’ve not watched them enough to know if Darnold is good, average, bad, etc ... but I do know that they can’t possibly evaluate him as much as they should be able to. I mean, at least the Browns can assess Baker’s play given our OL and playmakers

How does Adam Gase still have a job?

Because at 0-5, he's their security blanket in the Tank for Trevor sweepstakes.

LOL

Meanwhile, people who have Edwards-Helaire are pooping themselves.

Too frightening, even for Halloween!

That might be a real parade! What could Tase do with an influx of talent like that? The mind boggles!

I think I read that CEH had trouble with pass pro and it was hurting them on longer downs